Winter storm prep checklist for Canadians: what to do now

Before the first big snowfall, the federal government says every household should be ready to look after itself for at least 72 hours. That means an emergency kit with about four litres of water per person per day, food that won’t spoil, a flashlight, a radio, medication and cash, a household plan, and a way to receive weather alerts.

The checklist below follows Public Safety Canada’s winter storm guidance and its emergency kit advice, along with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s colour-coded weather alerts.

Winter is already arriving in parts of the country. Environment Canada had a winter storm warning in effect for northern Manitoba this weekend, as our report on the Manitoba warning explains, and forecasters called for up to 40 centimetres of snow in northern Saskatchewan. A major winter storm can last for days and make travel difficult, the federal guidance says, so the time to stock up is before one is forecast.

Key facts

What should be in a winter emergency kit?

In an emergency you may have to get by without power or tap water, Public Safety Canada says, so the kit should cover at least 72 hours. Its list includes water, about four litres per person per day, for drinking, cooking and sanitation; food that won’t spoil, a manual can opener, and baby formula or pet food if needed; a flashlight and a radio, with spare batteries or wind-up versions; chargers for mobile devices; and a first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, gloves, pain relievers and masks.

The department also suggests some less obvious items. Prescription medications can be hard to get during and after an emergency, so it recommends keeping enough for a couple of weeks if possible. It advises keeping some cash, because banks and machines may not be available, and copies of important documents such as birth certificates, passports, wills and insurance policies. A corded phone can work when cordless phones and cell networks are down.

Keep the kit together and easy to carry, and make sure everyone in the home knows where it is. Separate backpacks let each person grab their own. Replace food, water, batteries and medications that can expire at least once a year. Our guide to building a winter power outage kit goes item by item.

How do I prepare my home for a winter storm?

Public Safety Canada recommends winterizing your home ahead of the season by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic indoors. Keep shovels, salt and snow removal supplies where you can reach them, and check the house, including the roof, for damage.

The department suggests considering an alternate power source, such as an outdoor generator, and a backup heat source such as a fireplace, wood stove or space heater. In rural areas, snow fences can reduce drifting on roads and paths, and a rope lifeline between the house and any outbuildings you need to reach can keep you from getting lost in blowing snow.

Plan for older relatives and neighbours as well. The guidance says to check that they have enough food, medication and supplies when a storm is expected, because they may not be able to get out safely to shop. Make a plan for pets and farm animals too. Our guide on preventing frozen pipes covers one of the most expensive storm problems.

How do I prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in a storm?

Power outages often come with winter storms, and they raise the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from generators, camping stoves and vehicles, the federal guidance says. Install certified carbon monoxide alarms with battery backup in hallways and outside sleeping areas, keep fuel-burning appliances maintained, and clean the chimney and flues.

Never use a fuel-burning generator, barbecue or camping stove inside a home, garage, basement, crawl space or shed, or under an awning or gazebo. Run portable generators at least six metres from all buildings, with the exhaust pointed away from doors and windows. Do not idle a vehicle in a garage to warm up or charge devices, even with the door open. During a storm, check outdoor exhaust vents often, because snow and ice can block them and let carbon monoxide build up inside.

How should I prepare my car for winter storms?

The federal guidance says to keep a vehicle emergency kit with winter supplies, fit winter tires, keep a full tank of gas and plenty of windshield washer fluid, and be ready to change or cancel trips when hazardous conditions are forecast. Our checklist for a winter car emergency kit lists what to pack, and some provinces require winter tires on certain roads.

What should I do during a winter storm?

Stay up to date with forecasts and avoid driving until the storm has passed, Public Safety Canada says. If you must go out, dress for the weather, avoid travelling alone or at night, clear snow and ice from all windows before driving, and drive slowly, watching for black ice, which can be hard to see even in good visibility.

If you are trapped in a vehicle, stay inside it and keep the tailpipe clear of snow and ice. At home, avoid long periods of work outside and do not overexert yourself shovelling. Running a trickle of water can keep pipes from freezing. Help neighbours who need it if conditions allow.

What should I do after a winter storm?

Salt walkways and clear sidewalks to prevent falls, watch for flooding as snow melts, and check pipes for freezing, the guidance says. Frozen pipes can burst as water expands, and leaks behind walls may be hard to spot. Once pipes thaw, check for water damage and watch the area for mould.

What do Environment Canada’s weather alert colours mean?

Environment and Climate Change Canada now adds a colour to each warning, advisory and watch: yellow, orange or red, to show the level of risk. Forecasters choose the colour by weighing how confident they are that the weather will happen against its likely impact, the department says, using its Weather Impact Guides. A red alert is used only when the expected impact is extreme and forecasters’ confidence is very high. Orange covers high impact with high confidence, or extreme impact with moderate or high confidence. Yellow covers the rest, from moderate impact with high confidence to extreme impact with low confidence.

Winter alerts cover ice, including freezing rain and flash freezes, snow, snow squalls, visibility including blizzards and blowing snow, and winter storms. The WeatherCAN app sends local alert notifications, and local radio and TV carry updates. For the season ahead, see our Canada winter forecast for 2026-27.

Frequently asked questions

How much water do I need for a winter storm?

Public Safety Canada says about four litres per person per day, for at least 72 hours, for drinking, cooking and sanitation.

How long should my emergency kit last?

At least 72 hours, according to Public Safety Canada.

Can I run a generator in my garage during a power outage?

No. The federal guidance says never to run a fuel-burning generator indoors or in a garage, and to keep it at least six metres from all buildings.

What should I do if I get stuck in my car in a snowstorm?

Stay inside the vehicle and keep the tailpipe clear of snow and ice, Public Safety Canada says.

What does an orange weather alert mean in Canada?

Environment and Climate Change Canada issues an orange alert when it expects a high impact with high or very high confidence, or an extreme impact with moderate or high confidence. Red is reserved for extreme impact with very high confidence.

How often should I update my emergency kit?

At least once a year, replacing food, water, batteries and medications that can expire.

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Sources: Public Safety Canada, Winter storms: get prepared, Emergency kits and Power outages; Environment and Climate Change Canada, How we choose weather alert colours and Weather Impact Guides.