Discussions

Hello! I moved here to Brandon in mid-February to take care of my mother. I survived the second half of the last winter, but I wasn't here for the prep/maintenance part of it. I'm from the Silicon Valley where we more often spontaneously combust from heat and sun than get any temperature below freezing.  
 
Are there any tips that you can give a newbie? Especially one that has never shoveled snow before this year!!  
 
I'm concerned about when to leave taps running, when to start keeping an eye out for the neighborhood cats... things like that. Anything you can think of - I don't care if you think it's too simple or obvious!  
 
(Google is only so helpful, I would like to hear local input!)

Get good winter tires. Very important.

Welcome to Friendly Manitoba.  
Like the previous person said Good snow ties.  
You said taps running??? Do you live in a home or a mobile home. I never leave taps running.  
Invest in good winter boots and clothes.  
If the roads are closed….. Don’t go on them stay home. This is highway driving.  
Made sure your place has proper insulation.  
Don’t worry about the cats. Winter can be a beautiful time just use common sense.

Make sure to get a shovel with a metal edge, if you have a truck have a bag of kitty litter or gravel. Bags of salt for walk ways that get slippery. And make sure to wear layers or keep an extra layer handy.

Some good advice here so far. But please tell me why you are asking about looking out for cats! I’ve lived here my whole life and am now worried that I have had my guard down the whole time. Thanks!

Thank you all for the advice so far!! See, what I have found out is useless apparently!! LOL!! I heard letting taps run slightly helps pipes not freeze, but I guess that's for warmer climates where pipes aren't ready for Manitoba's winters!  
 
And about the cats, I am just paranoid about the safety of the cats around. All my cats have been rescues so I have a soft spot. Just worried about them staying warm and safe  
 
Edited by cybermonster, 2021-11-15 14:59:15

Just a note on cats...I am in the habit in this weather of giving a thump or two on the hood of my car before I get in and start it. Cats are known to curl up near warm engines in the winter.  
 
And the tap thing...I live in a big old house. We have had our pipes freeze many times, but that doesn't happen until it's really cold (like January) for a prolonged time. So for the last couple of years we have kept the lowest cold water tap running in our house when it gets very cold. (It's way too soon.) We usually get a notice from the city to do that anyway. Be careful if you decide to do that without notifying the city. They will credit you if turning it on is warranted, not sure if you just go ahead and do it on your own.

If you brought a car from California have you checked you engine coolants to make sure it's good for manitoba weather? Washer fluid as well.  
And as some have mentioned tires and a winter kit. There if your car gets stuck on highway it is fine if you wait outside but here you freeze to death.

You have a block heater cord to plug in your vehicle if it gets super cold. I would not let my cats outside at all. That way you don’t have to worry about them freezing or getting run over. Good luck.

Hey. Just remember that all plans in the winter for outings (especially out of town) are tentative and weather permitting. Often events are cancelled and postponed due to poor conditions. It can get disappointing but you have to stay safe. Don't make stupid decisions to travel when the weather sucks.  
 
And welcome to the Wheat City!

Run! Palm Springs or San Diego is no trade for what you’ll deal with here.

Despite the cold here winter can be beautiful. Hoar frost on trees. Some nights you can see the northern lights. Worth a drive just out of town if they are visible. If you are able to once Christmas season is upon us take your mom for a drive to see some of the houses that do holiday displays. I recommend Princess Ave East. (About 5-6 blocks easy of 1st street) Last year Adam had a list of many of the houses (very helpful) Also if you can bundle up and are okay with the cold walking is very peaceful and beautiful. Brandon Hills has some nice walks for day time.  
 
My biggest recommendations are warm boots, mitts and touque. At about minus 15 or colder remember to plug in your car. Make sure to get sunlight during the day you may notice less energy and sadness if you don't.  
 
And remember as it starts getting colder you really feel it. But come spring minus 20 starts feeling like a nice day and at minus 10 in the spring you will start seeing people in shorts and sandals. No joke.

1. Pack all of your, and your mom’s things.  
2. Move back to California.  
3. Take me with you.  
 
It’s so cold here in winter. The snow doesn’t bother me much, it’s the -30 temperatures and the wind. With the wind it can get as cold as -50. Yes. -50.  
 
However if you must stay, make sure you have quality winter gear. Jacket, ski pants, tuque, mittens, neck warmer and boots.  
 
If you have a vehicle, put a box of kitty litter in the trunk it’ll help you from sliding around while driving. Driving: leave early, take your time, don’t follow people too closely, winter tires. Plug in your vehicle at night when it gets below -15/-20. Timers help with on/off.  
 
Pack extra blankets/clothing in your vehicle and if you go on a trip somewhere, have emergency stuff in the vehicle (google this).  
 
Stay indoors. You can leave your house in March or April

You don’t have to leave the taps running as long as you used them a few times everyday both cold and hot you should be fine, but in January if you don’t open the taps even for a day they’ll freeze up

rain from Nov till April, maybe the west coast is for you, out here.  
However today is not good. Current devastation where the taps upstairs need to be turned off.  
Welcome to MB and the Wheat City.

I laughed way too hard at the first and last sentences!

If you walk anywhere beware of ice, especially under snow. You can buy cleats that fit over your boots to help keep you from falling. Good Luck!

If you are going to be primarily driving in the city, you can do well with good all season tires. Been here over 10+ years, had winter tires one year and have not really noticed any difference.

If driving in the cool evening of days where snow has been melting or on freezing rain days make sure to start braking at double the length of distance you normally would. Or at least test the brakes/tires on the road to see how icy and slippery it is. Give an extra 10 mins in the morning to scrape off car windows from snow/ice and not feel pressured to speed to destination.  
 
 
If you have outdoor garden hoses, turn them off and disconnect them from the taps so that the ice doesn’t wreck them. I forgot last year and had to buy a new attachment to the tap. Whoops, haha. Check to see if there are any outdoor plants that need to be covered for the winter. I have small new cedars so I wrap burlap around them.  
 
Edited by Seana-T, 2021-11-16 17:49:34

Thank you all for your advice !! I appreciate all of the help.

We put the downspouts from the eavestrough up for the winter, and also put a cover on the central air unit (or air conditioner) that’s outside of the house.