How to Handle Snow Removal When Temperatures Swing Above Freezing

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

Winter in London rarely stays consistently cold, and temperature swings above freezing partway through the season create their own unique challenges for snow and ice management that differ from a straightforward cold snowfall.

When temperatures rise above freezing during the day, existing snow and ice begins to melt into slush, which can look deceptively harmless compared to a fresh snowfall. The real problem comes once temperatures drop back down overnight, since that slush refreezes into a much harder, often more slippery layer of ice than the original snow ever was. This freeze-thaw cycle is one of the more hazardous patterns in a typical Ontario winter, precisely because surfaces that looked wet and manageable in the afternoon can become a serious slip risk by evening.

Timing of service becomes especially important during these swings, since clearing or treating a surface at the wrong point in the cycle can be far less effective. Treating a surface with de-icer right as temperatures are dropping, rather than earlier in the day, tends to prevent the worst of the refreeze. Watching the forecast for these swings, rather than just total snowfall, is a useful habit for anyone managing their own driveway.

Multi-day thaws followed by a sudden cold snap are particularly worth watching for, since they often produce some of the most dangerous ice conditions of the whole winter, even without any fresh snow falling at all.

Why Freeze-Thaw Is So Dangerous

Slush that sits on a driveway or walkway in the afternoon becomes a sheet of hard, uneven ice by the next morning. Footprints and tire tracks freeze into ridges, which makes the surface both slippery and hard to clear. The less slush left behind before temperatures drop, the less ice forms overnight.

Clear Before It Refreezes

When a thaw is forecast, the best time to push away slush and standing water is before sunset. Getting surfaces down to pavement while they are still soft takes far less effort than chipping ice the next day. If snow is still sitting on the edges of a driveway, moving it back from the paved area also keeps meltwater from running across and freezing.

Watch Your Drainage

Downspouts that empty onto a driveway or walkway are a common cause of ice patches after a warm day. A downspout extension that sends water onto the lawn instead, and keeping drains clear of snow and debris, can prevent a surprising amount of refreeze. Before the season we mark edges, steps and drains so they are not buried and can keep working.

Salt Timing Matters

Salt works best when it is applied before a refreeze, not after the ice has already bonded to the pavement. On very cold nights rock salt slows down, so heavier ice may need a second treatment. Our seasonal salting add-on ($175) covers freezing rain and refreeze visits, and a pet-safe de-icer option ($120) is available for homes with pets or newer concrete.

Plan for the Whole Cycle

A London winter can swing from mild rain to a hard freeze in a single day, several times a season. Treat each thaw as the start of an ice event rather than the end of a snow event, and keep a bag of de-icer and a sturdy shovel near the door so small patches can be handled right away.

FAQ

Does a thaw mean I can skip snow removal?

Not usually. Snow left in place during a thaw turns to slush and then ice, which is harder and more dangerous to deal with than the original snow.

Is freezing rain covered by a seasonal plan?

Plowing covers snow at the 5 cm trigger. Ice from freezing rain and refreeze is handled by the seasonal salting add-on.

Want a fixed price for your property? 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.