How Often Does London, Ontario Get Freezing Rain?

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

Freezing rain is one of the more predictable winter hazards in the London area, largely because the region sits right in the kind of temperature zone where it tends to form. Understanding how often it shows up helps set realistic expectations for the season.

London typically experiences multiple freezing rain events each winter, often clustering around late fall, mid-winter thaws, and early spring when temperatures hover close to the freezing mark. The exact count varies year to year, but several days of freezing rain in a typical winter season is normal for this part of southwestern Ontario.

The reason freezing rain shows up as often as it does here comes down to geography. London sits in a transition zone where warm, moist air moving up from the south frequently collides with a shallow layer of below-freezing air at the surface, creating the classic setup for freezing rain rather than plain rain or snow. This is a more common setup here than in areas further north that stay reliably below freezing throughout the winter.

Because freezing rain events tend to repeat rather than being a rare, one-off occurrence, it is worth treating ice management as a standing part of a winter plan rather than an occasional add-on. Properties that only think about ice after the first bad fall or slide tend to be playing catch-up for the rest of the season.

When Freezing Rain Usually Shows Up

Freezing rain in London tends to arrive at the edges of winter and during mid-season thaws. Late November and December bring the first events, when the ground and air near the surface have cooled but warmer systems still push in from the south. A second cluster often comes in January or February when a mild spell breaks up a cold stretch, and a third in March as the season turns. Watching for forecasts that show temperatures sitting right around 0°C with precipitation is the best early warning.

Why Freezing Rain Is Harder Than Snow

Snow can be pushed and shovelled. Freezing rain bonds to whatever it lands on, so a driveway, step or walkway can go from wet to glazed in minutes. Plowing does little against a thin sheet of ice; what works is applying salt or de-icer early so the ice cannot bond as firmly, then reapplying if it refreezes overnight. That refreeze is often the more dangerous moment, because surfaces look wet rather than icy.

Practical Steps for Homeowners

Keep a bag of salt or a pet-safe de-icer by the door before the first event, not after. Treat steps and the path to your car first, since those are where most falls happen. Clear downspout outlets so meltwater is not running across the driveway, and avoid parking on the lowest, wettest part of the drive where water pools and freezes.

How Our Seasonal Salt Add-On Works

Thames Valley Snow offers seasonal salting as a $175 add-on to a seasonal plan, and it covers freezing rain and refreeze visits, not just snowfalls. If you have pets or new concrete, a pet-safe de-icer is available as a $120 add-on instead of rock salt. Every visit is logged with timestamped photos so you can see when your property was treated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a seasonal plan cover freezing rain?

Plowing is triggered at 5 cm of snow. Freezing rain and refreeze treatment are covered when you add seasonal salting ($175) to your plan.

Is salt safe for my concrete and pets?

Rock salt can be hard on paws and on newer concrete. Our pet-safe de-icer add-on ($120) is the gentler option.

Want ice and snow handled before it becomes a problem? Request a free quote or call or text (548) 888-8702. You can also read about residential snow removal and commercial snow removal.

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.