Winter in Canada

Winter in Canada is one of the things that people research most about. Many people immigrating to Canada don't have this experience. Personally,  we moved from India to US and now to Canada.  We spent a few years in the New England area and so it was not too hard on us because the experiences were similar!

What is winter like?

Winter lasts for 4-6 months in Canada.  Depending on where you live, it will vary. The temperatures range from 10 degree celsius to -40 degree Celsius. Some parts of Canada have it more severe than the rest. The 2 provinces that have it less severe are Nova Scotia and British Columbia.  If you have lived in the New England area in the US then you know what to expect.  These provinces are near the coast and so that makes it less severe. However Nova Scotia is a little chilly and so although it might be -5 degrees celcius it could feel like -10 degree celsius. Typically, you would have flurries by October and it would start snowing in most places by December.  Usually it snows couple of times a week and the snow would be deposited on the road. The government in all of Canada has infrastructure in place to clear the snow on roads. They deposit the snow on the side so that the roads can be driven. They salt the roads so that it is less slippery. Effectively you would see piles of snow on the side and it would melt if there isn't snowfall in the next few days.

What is black ice?

The color isn't black but this is a thin coating of glaze ice and is transparent.  You cannot see it and you might slip while walking on it. It is formed when temperatures fall below 0 degree celsius and there is light rain or drizzle. This is why your regular shoes will slip on this.

How can you prepare for this?

Although the above statistics seem very daunting,  you can effectively prepare for this season. Heater is a mandatory requirement for all buildings (apartments or independent houses or work places or malls etc.). That is why you can live the same way as you would in spring inside the house. Verify the heater status of your place. If it is faulty then get it fixed. With a good heater, you shouldn't feel any cold. Even public transportation buses and rail transit are heated. So you should not feel it within the transit.

Where will you feel the cold?

You will feel the cold when you get into your car, if it isn't heated. It takes a few minutes for the car to be heated. You could also start your car and wait for it to be heated before driving in it. Some cars have an additional feature of heated seats. So you get additional heating. But that too takes time.

If you take the public transit then there would be some time between you getting to the stop and into the bus. It may be a few minutes but very adverse if you don't  have the right gear.

What should be your winter gear?

Every family member needs to have the following- 

1.  Parka - This is a thick jacket that is knee length long. The jackets are very thick and usually are certified to withstand around -30 degree celsius. These are very durable too if you invest in a good one. If the country you are immigrating from doesn't get snow and the temperature is not comparable to Canada then I would suggest buying it in Canada instead of buying something that would be throwaway. 
2. Boots - Snow and black ice are dangerous.  Your regular footware like leather shoes or sneakers would make you slip. Snow boots give you the resistance when walking on snow or black ice.
3. Gloves - Your fingers can get numb if exposed to the cold temperatures. That is why gloves are very important.
4. Scarf - This protects your neck especially when it is windy.
5. A good lotion and lip balm - Skin breaks out due to the weather. Make sure that you have these at all times.

For car owners

What should you do for your car?

Winter tires are required so that the car doesn't skid on snow. The threads on the tire are designed for better traction. As a car owner, this isn't optional. Ask your car mechanic today about it.

You need purchase snow brushes and shovels to clean snow on car and even scrape off ice on it. We have these tools even if we have covered parking at home. At work, we don't have covered parking and that's why these accessories are useful.  Although occasionally needed,  it is a relief to have these. We use public transit most of the times. Very rarely we have to commute by car. Consider commuting by public transit in these months, if possible. 

Driving in snow is different than driving in the rest of the seasons.  So, definitely be careful.  Even with winter tires, you need to get used to driving cautiously and getting control of the car. It might take you a while to learn this.

What is the impact of not having covered parking at your place?

We have heated covered parking at our apartment complex and this is a great advantage. Without covered parking, every night you could have frost accumulated on the car because of under zero temperatures.  You might have to use de-icing liquid to melt the frost. The snow deposition in a few hours usually covers your car and so you would need to dust off the snow when there is snowfall.

Hope this helps with your winter preparation. Stay safe!!