Snow is coming. Here's how much it could slow down your commute
Plan ahead: You'll thank yourself later.
Winter is gearing up for another round in parts of Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada, with some communities bracing for upwards of 40 cm of snow in the days ahead.
With that, experts are rolling out their usual warnings: Plan ahead, avoid unnecessary travel and, if you must head out on the road, slow down.
Don't expect to get anywhere quickly in a snowstorm
There are a few factors that slow down commute times during a snowstorm, including:
Reduced visibility due to falling and blowing snow.
Snow and ice accumulation that can create slippery conditions.
Strong winds that can blow snow and reduce visibility, cause trucks to lose control, or toss debris onto the road.
Road closures due to obstructed roadways or accidents.
Other motorists reducing their speed to match the conditions.
The presence of slow-moving snow plows.
This may all seem like common sense, but it's important to keep in mind that each point can add extra minutes to your commute. Combine a few of these and your drive could be much longer than anticipated.
How much does snow slow down traffic?
There's no set number for how much a snowstorm will delay your commute, due to the variability of the factors listed above, combined with the severity of the storm, but the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Commission says that average speeds decrease by:
30 to 40 per cent on urban roadways when there is snowy or slushy pavement.
3 to 13 per cent on the highway when there is light snow.
5 to 40 per cent on the highway when there is heavy snow.
These are general estimates. A storm that falls during rush hour could add even more time to a commute. Navigating slippery roads that haven't been plowed or salted will require motorists to slow down significantly and could potentially lengthen your drive even more.
Staying safe on winter roads
Installing winter tires will go a long way towards keeping you safe. Weather Network meteorologist Tyler Hamilton writes this can help improve stopping distance by up to 30 per cent in wintry conditions.
Pack an emergency kit for your car, just in case, and drive defensively.
Learn more: Winter emergency kit essentials
While the weather can change quickly as a storm moves through, it is always a good idea to check for weather watches and warnings in your area and assess your local highway conditions before heading out.
A little planning goes a long way towards staying safe on snowy Canadian roads.
Header image: File photos via Canva Pro. (Cheryl Santa Maria, The Weather Network)