What to Do If a Storm Hits Overnight

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

An overnight storm can leave you waking up to a driveway buried under snow with no warning it happened, and the way you handle those first hours of the morning makes a real difference in how the rest of your day goes.

Before heading out, check whether your snow removal service has already been by. Many seasonal contracts trigger automatically overnight once a set snowfall depth is reached, so your driveway may already be cleared or scheduled before you even look outside. If you are unsure, a quick check of your service agreement or a message to your provider clears up the confusion fast.

If you need to clear a path yourself before a scheduled visit, focus on the essentials first: a walkway to your door, space to open your car door, and enough clearance to back out safely if you need to leave. Full driveway clearing can wait if a professional visit is already on the way, especially since redoing work already scheduled just wastes effort.

Check road conditions before committing to a full commute. Overnight storms often mean side streets are not yet plowed even if main roads look clear, and giving yourself extra time is safer than rushing on unclear pavement.

How a Seasonal Plan Handles Overnight Snow

With a Thames Valley Snow seasonal plan, service starts automatically every time 5 cm or more falls between December 1 and March 31. You do not need to call or book a visit. In a long storm we come back for return visits, and the City windrow at the end of your driveway is cleared too. After every visit you get a timestamped photo, so you can check from bed whether the driveway has been done.

If You Need to Leave Very Early

Shift workers, health care staff and anyone with an early commute can add priority early-morning clearing for $125 per season. Front-line workers, including nurses, firefighters, police officers, paramedics and teachers, also get 5% off a seasonal plan, as do seniors.

Keep the Walkway and Steps Safe

A cleared driveway does not help much if the path to your door is icy. Walkway and steps clearing starts at $150 for the season, and seasonal salt is $175, which includes freezing rain and refreeze visits. If you have pets, pet-safe de-icer is available for $120.

Clearing Safely If You Must Go Out First

If you have to leave before a visit, clear only what you need. Push snow rather than lifting it, take short breaks and keep the area near your car door and tailpipe clear before starting the engine. Brush snow off the roof, hood and lights, not just the windshield. Avoid piling snow on the street or sidewalk, and leave the rest for the crew, since clearing it twice just wastes your morning.

Booking Ahead of the Next Storm

Quotes are measured from City of London maps and aerial imagery, and you receive a fixed price within 1 business day. A 30% deposit holds your spot, with the balance due before December 1.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my driveway has already been cleared?

Every visit ends with a timestamped photo, so you can see when your driveway was done without going outside.

What if it keeps snowing after the visit?

Long storms get return visits, so you are not left with a second layer of snow to dig out yourself.

Want a fixed price for your property? Get a free quote or call or text (548) 888-8702. You can also read about residential snow removal and priority clearing.

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.