Windsor Essex crews are preparing for a possible snowstorm heading towards the area that may last for several days.

The Canadian Ministry of Environment has issued a winter storm warning for Windsor Essex, with snowfall expected to reach up to 30 cm between Wednesday and Friday.

For his part, Fung Ngowi, Director of Operations and Acting Executive Director of Operations in the City of Windsor, said, "This will be a long storm."

Ngowi indicated that the crews are well prepared, with some employees pre-treating some main roads before the storm begins.

Ngowi says, "If you have to take care of anything, make sure to do it today, especially for medical needs."

Adding, city staff will monitor the progress of the storm, and they encourage residents to stay off the roads once snow starts to accumulate if possible, informing residents that they must be patient with salt truck operators and snow plows as soon as the snow falls.

He explained that it is expected that once snowfall reaches five centimeters, main roads will be cleared of snow, and only if snowfall exceeds 10 cm, will trucks then move to residential areas."

Ngowi said, "We will do our best especially since we are in a pandemic right now, and we will do our best to ensure all main roads are clear of snow and then clear all side streets afterward."

Ngowi says crews will start cleaning residential side streets when snow accumulation reaches 10 cm (four inches), noting that 30 cm (12 inches) is expected over the next two days.

Ngowi says: "Give yourself a little time." "Just be careful out there. Drive according to conditions, and please watch for pedestrians and cyclists."

On the other hand, officials say the last time a snow emergency was declared in Windsor was in 2018 to help crews clear side streets in a timely manner.

Ngowi says that declaring a snow emergency will depend on how much snow the city receives. He adds: "Just be safe out there."

Kaitlyn Furse, spokesperson for CAA South Central Ontario, says drinking fluids during a road emergency is important.

She explains that "planning ahead is really the most important thing people should do as we prepare for the snow".

Furse said, "It's great to have an emergency kit year-round, but she suggests, so you want to make sure you have some special things there—especially things that keep you warm in the shelter, like an extra hat, an extra pair of gloves, a blanket, and maybe some hand warmers."

Adding, "You need the usual stuff like a first aid kit, ice scraper, maybe an extra shovel."

Furse urges residents to stay home if possible and not go out unless necessary, saying, "Stay home safe so we can make sure to reach people in those priority situations,"

She also says that the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board and the Greater Essex County District School Board remind parents to check their emails and websites for information regarding possible school closures or other service interruptions due to the storm.

Windsor city crews are preparing to face the challenges of the snowstorm.

Officials say Windsor city crews are treating roads with a saline solution, preventing snow and ice accumulation, and when temperatures drop below -12 degrees Celsius, magnesium-treated salt is used.