What to Do Before an Ontario Winter Storm Warning

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

When Environment Canada issues a winter storm warning for the London area, it means significant snow, ice, or a combination of both is expected, and the time to prepare is before the warning turns into an active storm, not during it.

Start with your vehicle. Make sure it has a full tank of gas, working wipers, and winter-rated tires, since a storm warning often means roads will deteriorate quickly and stalling out is the last thing you want mid-commute. If you can shift errands earlier in the day before conditions worsen, do that too.

At home, clear your driveway and walkways of any leftover debris or ice before the new snow arrives, since a clean surface is far easier for a plow or shovel to handle than one with a frozen base layer underneath. Check that your snow removal service knows your trigger depth and confirm your account is active if you are on a seasonal plan, especially heading into the first big storm of the year.

Stock up on basics like salt or ice melt, and make sure outdoor lights are working in case crews or family members need visibility during an early morning or evening clearing. If a warning stretches into an extended event, keep phone chargers topped up and have a backup plan in case of a short power outage.

A Quick Pre-Storm Checklist

Run through a short list as soon as a warning is issued: fuel in the car, a working flashlight, phone chargers topped up, a bag of salt or ice melt by the door, and boots and gloves where you can reach them. Move vehicles into the garage or to one side of the driveway if you can, and bring in hoses, garbage bins and anything else that could be buried or caught by a plow.

If you have not marked the edges of your driveway yet, do it before the snow starts. Edge markers show the operator where the pavement ends, which protects lawns, gardens and curbs when everything is covered.

How Seasonal Service Works During a Warning

With a Thames Valley Snow seasonal plan, you do not need to call when a warning goes out. Once 5 cm of snow has fallen, your property is added to the route automatically, and in a long storm crews may return more than once. Each visit is recorded with timestamped photos so you can see when the work was done, even if you are stuck at work or away.

Warnings often include freezing rain or a hard freeze after the snow. Seasonal salting ($175) covers freezing rain and refreeze visits, and pet-safe de-icer ($120) is available if you have pets or new concrete.

After the Storm Passes

Once the snow stops, walk the property and look for problem spots: ice forming under downspouts, snow drifted back across the walkway, or a plow windrow left by the City at the end of the driveway. Clear vents and the area around your gas meter so they can breathe, and check on neighbours who may need a hand. Keep an eye on the temperature for the next day or two, since melting and refreezing can turn slush into hard ice overnight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I shovel before the crew arrives?

There is no need. If you have to get out early, clear just enough to leave safely and the crew will handle the rest.

Can I still sign up once a warning is issued?

Per-visit service at $70 is available, but signing a seasonal plan before winter is the best way to be covered from the first storm.

Want a fixed price for your property? Request a free quote or call or text (548) 888-8702. We send quotes within 2 business days. Read more 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.