How London's Winters Compare to Other Southern Ontario Cities

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

London sits in a specific spot on the winter weather map of southern Ontario, close enough to Lake Huron to catch regular lake-effect snow, but far enough inland to avoid some of the extremes that hit cities right on the shoreline.

Compared to cities like Sarnia and Grand Bend, which sit directly on Lake Huron, London typically sees less intense lake-effect snowfall, since the distance from the shore gives storms room to weaken slightly before arriving. Compared to Toronto and cities along Lake Ontario, London tends to see more total snowfall overall, since it sits in a snowbelt-adjacent zone that catches more lake-effect activity than the Toronto area typically does.

What makes London's winter pattern distinct is the mix of both lake-effect snow from Huron and larger system-driven snowfalls from Colorado lows and other tracking storms. This combination means London's winter can be unpredictable, with some years leaning heavy on lake-effect totals and others driven more by big single storms.

Why freeze-thaw matters as much as snowfall

London winters rarely stay cold the whole way through. Temperatures swing above and below freezing, so snow melts during the day and refreezes at night. That cycle turns a cleared driveway into a sheet of ice by morning and is often more of a hazard than the snow itself. It is also why ice control matters as much as plowing here.

What the City plows leave behind

When City plows clear your street, they push a ridge of heavy, packed snow, called a windrow, across the end of your driveway. After a big storm it can be harder to move than the snow on the driveway. Any service you book should say whether the windrow is cleared.

How we plan for a London winter

Our seasonal service runs December 1 to March 31, and you can extend it from November 1 to April 15 for $95 to cover early and late storms. Your driveway is cleared automatically whenever snowfall reaches 5 cm, with return visits during long storms, and the City windrow at the end of your driveway is cleared too. Seasonal salt is a $175 add-on that covers freezing rain and refreeze visits, which is where freeze-thaw cycles do the most damage.

Prices start at $650 to $725 plus HST for a single or 1.5-car driveway, $815 for a double, and $1,050 for a 3-car, interlock, paver or stamped driveway. You get a timestamped photo after every visit.

Preparing your property for a London winter

Before the first real snowfall, walk your driveway and note anything a plow could catch: garden edging, low walls, irrigation heads, and decorative borders. Edges, steps and drains should be marked before the season so they can be found under snow. If you have an interlock, paver or stamped driveway, ask how it will be protected; on those surfaces we use a raised rubber-edge blade. Clear gutters and downspouts so meltwater drains away instead of refreezing across your walkway, and keep a bag of pet-safe de-icer by the door for the in-between days.

London winter FAQ

When does snow removal season start in London?

Our standard season runs December 1 to March 31. The extension covers November 1 to April 15 for an extra $95.

Do I need salt as well as plowing?

With London freeze-thaw cycles, many homeowners add seasonal salt for $175, which covers freezing rain and refreeze visits.

Ready to plan your winter? Get a free quote, or call or text (548) 888-8702. You can also read about residential snow removal and our prices.

What's included… and what's extra

A Thames Valley Snow seasonal residential plan starts from $650 for a standard driveway. It covers clearing the driveway every time snowfall reaches the trigger depth in your agreement, plus the windrow the city plow leaves at the end of the driveway. Larger driveways are priced on our snow removal prices page.

Popular add-ons, priced per season: walkway and steps $150–175, salting $175, priority service $125, pet-safe salt $120, driveway extension $95 and city sidewalk clearing $90. Add only what your property needs; everything is listed on the quote so there are no surprises. Get your fixed price or call or text (548) 888-8702.