Winter Storm Preparation in Canada: How to Check Local Alerts | November 9, 2026

Verified: November 9, 2026, at 12:03 UTC.

Winter storms can make roads impassable, interrupt power and leave households facing dangerous cold. Before conditions worsen, check the forecast for your community and travel route, gather supplies for at least 72 hours, and make a plan for staying warm if the power goes out.

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Weather Information map and alert table show current alerts by location. Conditions and warnings can change quickly, so check again before leaving home and follow instructions from local officials. A national overview cannot tell you whether your particular street or highway is safe.

Destaques

• Check official alerts for both your community and any route you plan to travel.
• Keep food, water, medication and other essentials ready for at least 72 hours.
• Delay driving during a storm when possible; carry a winter emergency kit if travel is necessary.
• Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning by keeping fuel-burning equipment outside and away from buildings.

How do you check winter storm alerts in Canada?

Start with the federal Weather Information page. Choose your province or territory, then find your forecast location in the map or alert table. Open the full alert to see the hazards, affected area, expected timing and recommended actions. If you are traveling, check the places along your route as well as your destination.

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s free WeatherCAN app provides forecasts and push notifications for weather alerts for your current and saved locations. Save places that matter to you, such as home and a relative’s community, and allow the notifications and location access needed for your setup.

Also consult your provincial or territorial road information service for closures and driving conditions, your electricity utility for outage updates, and your municipality or local emergency management office for shelter and service information. Keep a battery-powered or wind-up radio available in case your internet or power fails.

Alert Ready delivers critical emergency alerts through television, radio and compatible wireless devices. Do not wait for a phone alert before checking the forecast: Environment and Climate Change Canada says it sends only specific weather alert types through Alert Ready, so a winter weather warning may not arrive that way.

What do winter weather alert colors mean?

Canada uses yellow, orange and red for weather watches, advisories and warnings. Yellow indicates hazardous weather that may cause damage, disruption or health effects; orange signals more significant potential impacts; and red indicates very dangerous, potentially life-threatening weather. Forecasters consider both possible impact and their confidence in the forecast. Read the full message regardless of color: a yellow alert can still matter greatly to someone who must drive or relies on electricity for medical equipment. See the official guide to alert colors.

A winter storm warning concerns a combination of severe winter conditions. Snowfall, freezing rain, blowing snow and extreme cold can also be covered by other alerts. These describe expected hazards; they are not a guarantee that every listed impact will occur at your address.

What should be in a winter storm emergency kit?

Canada recommends being ready to manage without power or tap water for at least 72 hours. Store supplies where everyone can find them, and adapt the kit for children, older adults, pets and anyone with medical or accessibility needs. The federal emergency kit guide is a useful starting point.

• Drinking water and nonperishable food, plus a manual can opener.
• Prescription medications, first aid supplies and any necessary medical equipment or backup power arrangements.
• Flashlights, spare batteries, a battery-powered or wind-up radio, and charged phone power banks.
• Warm clothing, blankets, personal hygiene supplies and essentials for pets.
• Some cash, important contact details and a household plan in a form you can access if your phone is unavailable.

Charge devices before the storm and make sure household members know how to reach one another. If someone depends on powered medical equipment, discuss a backup plan with their care provider and arrange help before an outage occurs.

How can you stay warm and safe during a power outage?

Keep certified carbon monoxide alarms with battery backup near sleeping areas, and clear snow and ice from outdoor appliance exhaust vents when it is safe to do so. Never use a fuel-burning generator, barbecue or camping stove inside a home, garage, shed or other enclosed or covered area. The Government of Canada’s winter storm guidance says portable generators should be at least 6 meters (20 feet) from buildings, with exhaust directed away from openings.

Dress in layers, keep dry and limit time outdoors. Check on neighbors who may need assistance if conditions allow. If your home becomes unsafe or too cold, follow local emergency instructions and move to a safe location when travel is possible.

Should you drive during a winter storm?

Delay travel until the storm has passed when possible. Before a necessary trip, check the weather and road conditions, tell someone your route and expected arrival, fill your fuel tank, and clear snow and ice from your vehicle’s windows. Slow down and allow extra time: visibility and traction can change quickly, and black ice can be difficult to see.

Carry blankets, extra clothing, water, nonperishable snacks, a flashlight, a shovel, a scraper, traction material and a phone charger. If you become stranded and your vehicle is not at risk of being hit, Transport Canada advises staying inside for shelter. Keep the tailpipe clear of snow, open a window slightly on the side protected from the wind, and run the engine as little as possible. See Transport Canada’s winter trip guidance for further steps.

What should you do after the storm?

Keep checking official updates: roads may remain closed or icy after snowfall stops, and outages can continue. When it is safe, clear and salt walkways, avoid overexertion, and check for frozen pipes or leaks. Give crews room to work and follow local advice about damaged infrastructure. If another system is forecast, replenish supplies before conditions deteriorate again.

Frequently asked questions

Will every winter storm warning trigger a phone emergency alert?

No. Check WeatherCAN or the federal weather website directly; do not rely on Alert Ready as your only source for winter weather information.

How long should my emergency supplies last?

Plan for at least 72 hours without power or tap water, and consider additional supplies for your household’s circumstances.

Can I run a generator in an open garage?

No. Never run a fuel-burning generator in a garage, even with the door open. Place it outdoors at least 6 meters from buildings and direct exhaust away from openings.