Title: Canadian Winter Survival 101
By: Thean Sargeant
Published on: November 11th, 2024
Cold weather dominates most of the year here in Canada, with the most frigid months being December, January, and February. It’s crucial to cover up as some days can get chillier than -20 C – that’s 20 degrees below the freezing point for water. You also have to take a mental note of the wind chill which tends to make these days feel colder than they are. Make a conscious effort to stay warm during these months to avoid exposing bare skin to the harsh cold. Frostbite is an injury that can occur when the skin and the tissues under it are exposed to freezing conditions for a prolonged period. In its early stages, frostbitten skin gets better when warmed up. If not warmed up, the injury can become severe. Do your best to avoid this outcome.
Buy winter clothes out of Season
Try to buy items outside of the winter season. Stores often sell winter gear at a discounted price outside of winter months. Out-of-season is the best time to get coats, boots, scarves, and the like, as you can find the quality you need at a much better price. Buy clothes that will keep you warm throughout the day, especially if you are outside often. You might set your skin up for frostbite by neglecting to stay warm. The dermatologists at the American Academy of Dermatology Association have a great, informative list of what types of clothes to buy for the winter and what materials to get them in.
Invest in footwear
Winter months come with ice storms and freezing rain. Such weather can layer streets and sidewalks with ice, making them slippery. Purchase boots with a well-built grip to keep you grounded. In this case, you want to prioritize warmth and grip over style. Ice cleats, grips, crampons, or whatever they’re listed as will help you walk better in icy conditions. Some boots come with them attached but they can also be bought separately and added to your shoe. Even with grips, remember to walk carefully to avoid slips and falls.
Keeping warm inside
Sometimes it feels like the cold follows you inside no matter how high the heating is. One item to help warm you up is a comforter. A comforter is essentially a heavy blanket with a soft outer lining, plush inner filling and stitching that holds the filling in place. With proper care, a good comforter can last many winters. If you prefer something more customizable, a duvet would work for you. Duvets are like comforters. However, they don’t have a dedicated outer covering. As a result, this allows you to buy different sheet sets, including a matching duvet cover. Choose whichever one works for you so long as you keep warm.
Weather apps
Aside from clothes, weather apps are one of the most important things to have before braving the Canadian winter. Never leave home without checking these apps. Weather apps make knowing how to dress much easier as you’ll be aware of how many layers to wear. An app that breaks down weather according to hourly temperatures is best as you can tell whether you need a scarf for later in the day or if you can switch out your boots for sneakers. While you can check the forecast on the TV before you head out, you’ll get timely updates on a mobile device. Some handy apps include The Weather Channel, AccuWeather, The Weather Network, and WeatherCAN.