The Weather Outside is Frightful!

That’s it. There’s nothing too delightful.

Once again, winter has snuck upon us. In light of the first snowfall of the season, we thought it would be best to go over some tips and tricks on how to be prepared for winter in Northwestern Ontario. Hopefully, this makes things a little less frightful–especially for our students who will be experiencing this for the first time!

First things first, you need to dress for the part. Dressing for the weather is crucial in the winter. Always check the forecast before heading out to see what you’re up against. Just as ogres and onions have layers, so should you when dressing for winter! This means a warm winter coat, hat, mittens, and a scarf or neck covering. Minimizing your skin exposure will reduce the risk of frostbite. On extremely cold days, try to limit your time spent outside. Proper footwear is also essential; you’ll want to invest in a good pair of winter boots. Look for a pair that is waterproof, well-insulated, and provides you with good traction. 

Dressing appropriately for the weather if you walk, bike, or take the bus to campus is imperative. For public-transit users, the transit app will help you plan your bus route and get updates on any weather-related delays. You can download the app for free: https://transitapp.com/. 

If you’re someone who drives to campus, you should ensure your vehicle is winter-ready. Keep an ice-scraper/snow brush in your car, and make sure you have windshield washer fluid that works down to -40℃. Winter tires are also a necessity! They help to improve traction and control in frost, snow, and icy conditions, as well as shorten braking distance by up to 25%. Unfortunately, all-season tires are not the same as winter tires; they can start losing grip at 7℃. 

Before you hit the road, make sure you’ve cleared off all the snow and ice from your windows, mirrors, signals, headlights, and roof. See to having enough time to reach your destination (often, this means leaving earlier than you usually would). Winter driving is about being careful; avoid braking aggressively, accelerating quickly, and turning sharply. 

For more winter driving tips, visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/winter-driving#section-0. 

Stay safe this winter! You snow it to yourself.