How do you deal with the winter in Toronto?

Question

I'll be migrating to Canada soon, most probably in Toronto. I keep hearing about how difficult the winters can be in Toronto and coming from a tropical Asian country, I am very much concerned. When it gets real bad, how does it affect transportation (within the city), schools and offices? Can it get so bad that it can actually shut down the city? What winter clothing should I consider acquiring? How reliable are the weather forecasts?

Thanks in advance for your inputs.

Answer 1

Winter is not that bad. Dress warm and you'll be fine. Hat/gloves/winter coat, maybe a scarf. The only time I remember it being really bad was when they called in the army to remove the snow...LOL. You'll definitely notice a big difference in climate from a tropical Asian country, but you'll get used to it. Toronto is a great city.

Answer 2

I does get cold in Toronto - sometimes with the wind chill it will get down to -20C or colder. Unless there are some good winter clothing outlets close by you, I would wait before investing in good winter clothing until I came to Canada. There are many excellent stores to buy great winter coats etc. My favourite is a Gore-tex jacket - I can wear a sweater underneath and I'm toasty warm even in extreme cold. Gore-tex cuts the wind and is waterproof.

As far as snow goes, there might be a couple of bad storms a winter (sometimes more, sometimes less). The good thing is that there is an excellent snow plow service that goes into effect as soon as it starts snowing (they usually know when a big storm is coming). They not only plow the roads but sand and salt them too. So it doesn't ususally get as bad as shutting the whole city down. At most, there might be a day where it's difficult to drive around. There is also excellent public transportation - buses, streetcars and the subway system, and these pretty much keep running even in a storm - the snowplows try and make sure the main roads are kept clear at a minimum.

I hope you like Toronto - it's a great city, with wonderful restaurants, culture and night life, beautiful parks and a great multi-cultural attitude.

Answer 3

Sometimes when we receive a big snowstorm, driving a car in Toronto might become more difficult but there is still a metro you can use. :P Usually, if it is not the apocalypse outside, it won't affect the city too much. The schools might close but not the offices or services.

As for the clothing that you will need, you have to buy a good winter coat, a warm hat and some gloves. Personally, I have 2 winter coat, one which is warmer than the other. Sometimes, it can get very cold and some other times, it is too warm outside to wear a winter coat and you only need a good jacket... but since you are from a tropical country, I guess you won't use the jacket too often. Also, remember to buy boots! Running shoes are not the best on ice and it is not compatible with snow. :)

Don't worry too much about the winter, it is not as bad as you heard.

Answer 4

Winters in Toronto are a breeze as compared to some areas of the U.S. Toronto does not get nearly as much snow as they do in New York state for example. This is not to say that we get no bad weather but when a storm does hit traffic is usally affected for a short period, school does not seem to be cancelled for more than a day at a time and offices rarely close and workers are expected to show up. Public transportation is the way to go on these days. Get yourself a winter jacket, a pair of boots, a pair of gloves and a toque (hat). In about a month you will not need any of these but will need a spring weight jacket instead as the temperature should be at about 10 celsius or more.

Answer 5

Winter is not a big issue. This was mine as well when i came here 3 years back. But due to good heating systems it does not effect u that much.
Your Appt/House is centerally heated Shoping malls grocery stores, convience stores and all the resturants coffe shops r heated so u dont directly face the winter.
bring some good quality water proof Jackets and thermals good winter jacket cost u in toronto around 100 to 150 $ i am using Colombia brand and its really good.
If u can get some thing cheaper in ur country bring that if that is Export quality.
Bring some Woolen and cotton socks here avaialble around 8-10 $ a pair
if u can get good quality winter Boots bring these 2 pairs with hard and thick sole.here ranges from 80-150$
if these things r not available being a tropical region country i will suggest to visit some used clothing(imported from europe r North america) outlets
Wear in lyers and i hope u will survive like Millions other
best of luck

Answer 6

You'll be fine, thousands of people survive it every winter.
Transportaion can and does slow down sometimes, not very often does it stop completely unless there is an ice storm.
Visit a department store in the fall and ask for help re winter clothing. Forecasts are pretty good but nature has a way of delivering suprises sometimes and no one can be prepared for that.
BTW If I was you I would go to Vancouver :0)

Answer 7

It gets cold but as you can see from the population numbers they survive, transit is slowed not stopped, offices don't close,schools may have a cancellation but not many times for long , Make sure to get a thick coach, Down for casual/ Tweed/Wool for Business, formal is good, get good insulated boots, sweaters etc. Weather forecast is usually on but like weather forecasts anywhere else in the world(you take it with a grain of salt and lots of optimism)

Don't worry they call in the Military to dig them out whenever there's lots of snow and too big of a storm.

Answer 8

Wear layers of clothing, and for your mental and physical health, try out a winter sport such as skating or skiing.
The weather forecasts are pretty reliable.

Answer 9

If I had to give you one piece of advice it would be this: Buy a pair of rubberized snowmobile boots with the felt inserts. The key to keeping warm and toasty in winter is to keep your feet dry.

Answer 10

Never shuts down the city...we just grin and bear it...it only affects us a couple of times a year.