Life Kit

A snowstorm is on the way. Here’s what to do.

January 22, 2026

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  • Understand the difference between a winter weather watch (heads up), advisory (expected, below threshold), and warning (expected, meets threshold) to gauge preparation urgency, but always prepare for potential issues even with lower alerts. 
  • Prepare for power outages by securing backup options for heat, light, and cooking, and winterize your home by sealing drafts and insulating pipes, prioritizing unheated areas first. 
  • If you must travel during a storm, treat your car as a shelter by packing a comprehensive go-bag, ensuring your vehicle is serviced, and remembering that plowed roads may still hide dangerous black ice. 

Segments

Understanding Weather Alert Terminology
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(00:01:34)
  • Key Takeaway: A ‘watch’ means bad weather is likely headed your way, while an ‘advisory’ or ‘warning’ means bad weather is expected, with the difference between advisory and warning being the severity threshold (e.g., inches of snow) set by the region.
  • Summary: A storm watch is a heads-up that conditions are favorable for severe weather. Advisories and warnings both mean bad weather is expected, but a warning is issued when the expected severity meets a specific regional threshold (like six inches of snow in New England), whereas an advisory is issued for expected weather that falls below that threshold. Listeners should take advisories seriously, as three to four inches of snow can still cause significant issues.
Essential Winter Storm Supply Gathering
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(00:04:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Prepare for power outages by gathering backup options for heat, light, and cooking, including non-perishable food and fuel sources like propane or generators.
  • Summary: Gather extra food, water, fuel, and batteries early, as power outages are a major concern. Backup heat and light options include flashlights, matches, and candles. Outdoor cooking can utilize propane, charcoal grills, or generators, while indoor options include candle warmers (like Sternos) or fireplace cooking, alongside no-cook canned goods.
Home Winterization and Pipe Protection
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(00:05:20)
  • Key Takeaway: Winterize your home by sealing drafts, insulating windows, and protecting pipes, prioritizing unheated areas like garages or crawl spaces first.
  • Summary: Seal the home by weather-stripping doors and insulating windows to close gaps from drafts and snow. Winterize pipes by wrapping them with foam sleeves, heat tape, or even towels; if leaving the home vacant, let a faucet drip to prevent bursting. Clear gutters and downspouts to prevent ice dams and dangerous icicles.
Renter Responsibilities and De-icing
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(00:06:41)
  • Key Takeaway: Renters should communicate with landlords about external maintenance but proactively salt sidewalks and driveways themselves, using about one coffee cup of salt per 500 square feet.
  • Summary: Renters should discuss responsibilities like gutter clearing with their landlord but should proactively purchase and use supplies like salt and shovels. About a coffee cup’s worth of salt spread evenly covers approximately 500 square feet of driveway or ten sidewalk squares. The best time to salt is after shoveling but before the storm hits.
Preventing Post-Storm Household Hazards
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(00:07:59)
  • Key Takeaway: Check and recheck smoke and carbon monoxide alarms before the storm, and maintain a three-foot safety perimeter around any space heaters used for warmth.
  • Summary: Home fires and carbon monoxide poisoning are common hazards during winter storms, necessitating servicing the furnace and cleaning the chimney beforehand. Ensure all carbon monoxide and fire alarms are functioning correctly before the storm arrives. When using space heaters for warmth, always maintain a three-foot perimeter around them.
Staying Warm and Seeking Shelter
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(00:08:26)
  • Key Takeaway: If heat fails, consolidate everyone into one room to retain body heat, never use generators or camp stoves indoors, and call 211 to locate emergency warming shelters.
  • Summary: The best practice during a storm is to stay inside, but if you must go out, dress in layers and minimize exposure to prevent hypothermia or frostbite, which can set in quickly. If indoor heat fails, keep everyone in a single room to maximize shared body heat. Generators and camp stoves must never be used inside or partially enclosed spaces due to carbon monoxide risk; call 211 for assistance finding local warming shelters.
Preparing Your Vehicle for Travel
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(00:10:50)
  • Key Takeaway: Pack your car like it is a shelter, including a 72-hour go bag with survival items, and ensure fluids, battery, and tires are winter-ready.
  • Summary: If driving is necessary, supplement your standard 72-hour go bag with blankets, hats, gloves, snacks, water, a small shovel, and an ice scraper. Winterize the car by checking the battery, ensuring good tire tread, replacing antifreeze and washer fluid, and keeping the gas tank full to prevent fuel line freeze. If stranded, display bright markers, call for help early, and conserve battery life.
Post-Storm Damage Assessment and Replenishment
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(00:13:23)
  • Key Takeaway: After the storm, inspect for infrastructure damage like cracked pipes or leaks, recheck safety alarms, and replenish all used emergency supplies immediately.
  • Summary: After the storm passes, inspect the immediate area for damage such as cracked pipes, leaks, or fallen tree branches, and recheck smoke and CO2 detectors. Be cautious when venturing out, as infrastructure damage like water main breaks may not be immediately apparent elsewhere. Replenish all used supplies from emergency kits so you are prepared for the next weather event.
Long-Term Preparedness Mindset
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(00:14:31)
  • Key Takeaway: Year-round, incremental preparedness—like stocking small items when convenient—is an investment in your future self and community well-being.
  • Summary: Preparedness should be a year-round activity, involving stocking small items like extra water or flashlights when you see them, rather than being rooted in fear. Preparation provides future options, saving time and money later (e.g., clearing gutters prevents roof leaks). Being a good neighbor by sharing warnings and checking on others shifts the focus from a ‘me problem’ to a ‘we problem.’