With snow and colder temperatures finally hitting the community this week, now is a great time to start getting prepared for the winter.
Environment Canada expects the winter weather to ramp up as early as tonight (Nov. 1).
"We do have some more winter weather headed our way, snow should start this evening and start to intensify overnight," says Jesse Wagar, a meteorologist with Environment Canada. "Unfortunately, it looks like that's going to stick around during the morning commute tomorrow (Nov. 2)."
"The next 24 to 36 hours look to be quite snowy for us."
Here are a few ways that you can keep warm.
1. Plugging in your car
According to AMA, extreme cold can lead to calls about dead batteries spiking by six times the usual number.
“When it’s -15°C or colder, plugging in your vehicle three to four hours before driving can be the difference between an engine that starts and an engine that doesn’t,” says Ryan Lemont, manager of AMA driver education.
Be sure to have a cord for your car and to locate the plug-in on your house or apartment.
2. Driving to conditions
A mix of cold weather and wet concrete is a recipe for a slippery road. Sometimes you can drive the speed limit and still feel your car going out of control.
It's best to remember that the posted speed limits are meant for ideal conditions and driving slower can make all the difference in reaction time.
3. Using proper tires
All-season tires are versatile, but winter tires give you much better control of your car on snow and ice.
However, not everyone has the money to spend on swapping out tires every season. That's why it's best to at least check on your tire pressure.
Low tire pressure increases friction, which leads to faster tread wear and a loss in performance.
Tire pressure can drop by one pound per square inch for every 5 C drop in temperature. Between now and the coldest days of the winter, your tires may drop up to 10 PSI.
4. Emergency roadside kit
Whether you buy a kit from the store or build one yourself, it's good to always carry an emergency roadside kit in your car. This kit should include a blanket, a shovel, warm clothing, a flashlight, gloves, and water.
5. Bundling up
Making sure you're dressed for the weather is vital in preventing frostbite and hypothermia.
Snow pants aren't the most fashionable thing in the world, but they can make a cold winter's day feel mild compared to bracing the cold in a pair of jeans.