Winter Storms: How to Prepare Your Home, Car, and Emergency Kit

WND Editorial Team Published: Oct 12, 2026 5 min read

Satellite image of a winter storm covering the United States, from NOAA's GOES-19 satellite, January 2026 — CIRA / NOAA / NESDIS Center for Satellite Applications and Research, public domain

Direct answer: Preparing for a winter storm means a home stocked for several days without power, a car kit for getting stranded, and knowing what the alerts mean. Under a Winter Storm Warning, ready.gov says it plainly: find shelter right away. Keep the generator outside and at least 20 feet from the house, dress in layers, and bring pets indoors at the first sign of a storm.

Know the alerts: watch, advisory, warning, blizzard

A Winter Storm Watch means there is potential for heavy snow or significant ice, usually at least 24 to 36 hours ahead — winter weather is possible, so review your plans. A Winter Weather Advisory is issued for accumulations of snow, freezing rain, freezing drizzle and sleet that will cause significant inconvenience and, without caution, could become life-threatening. A Winter Storm Warning means a winter storm is producing or is forecast to produce heavy snow or significant ice — the event is imminent or occurring. Criteria for all three vary from place to place (NWS).

A Blizzard Warning is the most severe: winds of 35 mph or higher, with considerable falling or blowing snow frequently cutting visibility to a quarter of a mile or less, expected to last at least 3 hours (NWS).

Stock the home before the storm

A winter storm can last a few hours or several days and can cut off heat, power and communications. ready.gov recommends insulation, caulking and weather stripping, learning how to keep pipes from freezing, and installing and testing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups. Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power — including each person's medication and the needs of pets.

The emergency kit list (ready.gov): water — one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation — and a several-day supply of non-perishable food; a battery-powered or hand-crank radio plus a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert; flashlight and extra batteries; first aid kit; whistle to signal for help; a mobile phone with chargers and a backup battery; prescription medications; pet food and extra water; a sleeping bag or warm blanket per person; a complete change of clothing; and important family documents.

Heating safely: the generator rules

Generators are one of the most dangerous parts of a winter storm. ready.gov rules: generators and fuel are for outdoors only, at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and attached garages. Install working carbon monoxide detectors on every level of the home — carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that can kill you, your family and pets. Keep the generator dry, connect appliances with heavy-duty extension cords, let it cool before refuelling, and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Never use a generator or grill indoors, and never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven.

The car: kit, and what to do if stranded

ready.gov recommends a winter car kit: jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water and non-perishable snacks — and keep a full tank of fuel. Stay off the roads if at all possible; if trapped in your car, stay inside.

If you are stuck in a vehicle during a winter storm (NOAA guidance via NWS): run the motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat, and open a window slightly to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Turn on the dome light at night so rescuers can see you. Tie a coloured cloth — preferably red — to your antenna or door, and after the snow stops, raise the hood to signal you need help. Move your arms, legs, fingers and toes vigorously to keep blood circulating.

Spot frostbite and hypothermia

Frostbite causes loss of feeling and colour around the face, fingers and toes. Signs: numbness, white or greyish-yellow skin, firm or waxy skin; the CDC adds that redness or pain in any skin area may be the first sign. Actions (ready.gov/CDC): go to a warm room, soak in warm water, use body heat to warm — never massage or warm frostbitten skin with a heating pad, fireplace, heat lamp, radiator or stove.

Hypothermia is an unusually low body temperature; a temperature below 95°F is an emergency. Signs: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech or drowsiness — and it can occur even above 40°F if a person is wet and becomes chilled (CDC). Actions: go to a warm room, remove wet clothing, and warm the centre of the body first — chest, neck, head and groin — wrapped in warm blankets.

Dress for the cold in several layers of loose-fitting clothing, with a scarf or knit mask covering the face and mouth, a hat, mittens or gloves, and a water-resistant coat and boots (CDC). Cover the nose, ears, toes, cheeks, chin and fingers — the parts most often hit by frostbite. ready.gov adds: limit time outside, and avoid overexertion when shovelling snow — it reduces the risk of a heart attack.

Pets

Always bring pets indoors at the first sign or warning of a storm (ready.gov). If officials ask you to evacuate, your pet should evacuate too — keep several days' supply of food and water, medicine, a leash and a carrier ready.

Related pages on this site: the Severe Cold & Winter Storm Safety guide, US weather alerts by state, and the historical disaster archive.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a Winter Storm Watch and a Winter Storm Warning?

A watch means there is potential for heavy snow or significant ice, usually issued 24 to 36 hours ahead — winter weather is possible, so review your plans. A warning means a winter storm is producing or is forecast to produce heavy snow or significant ice; the event is imminent or occurring, usually within 12 to 24 hours. If you are under a Winter Storm Warning, ready.gov says: find shelter right away.

How far from the house should a portable generator be?

At least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages — and it must be used outdoors, never inside the home. Install working carbon monoxide detectors on every level of the home, connect appliances with heavy-duty extension cords, let the generator cool before refuelling, and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

What should I do if I am stranded in my car in a winter storm?

Stay inside the vehicle. Run the motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat, and open a window slightly for fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Turn on the dome light at night so rescuers can see you, tie a red cloth to the antenna or door, and raise the hood after the snow stops to signal you need help. Move your arms, legs, fingers and toes vigorously to stay warm.

What are the warning signs of hypothermia?

Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech or drowsiness. A body temperature below 95 degrees Fahrenheit is an emergency. Get to a warm room, remove wet clothing, warm the centre of the body first — chest, neck, head and groin — and keep dry and wrapped in warm blankets, including the head and neck.

Sources

About the author

WND Editorial Team — The World Natural Disasters editorial team curates disaster information from official scientific and humanitarian sources, reviews safety guidance against public-agency recommendations, and maintains the historical database.

Written and reviewed under our editorial policy. Factual claims cite the sources listed above.

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