Updated January 21, 2026 at 3:37 PM CST
A major winter storm is headed to the South, Midwest, and Northeast later this week and into the weekend. It's expected to be one of the most extreme and widespread storms in years, bringing heavy snow and freezing rain, according to the National Weather Service. The storm could affect over 30 states as it sweeps through parts of New Mexico, into Texas, and up to North Carolina.
Winter storms are dangerous. And preparing for them can be intimidating, particularly for communities that aren't used to it.
But further north, for states like New Hampshire, where it snows dozens of inches every year, dealing with squalls and slippery sidewalks is a way of life.
"It's just common sense for us up here," said Shane Beattie, the emergency management director for the town of Lancaster, N.H.
But to enjoy the snow, you have to stay safe. We asked people in New Hampshire for advice on preparing for winter storms.
Staying safe at home
You're safest at home during a storm, says Vanessa Palange, community outreach coordinator for New Hampshire's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Palange has been through her fair share of winter storms in New Hampshire and Maine. She was once stuck with no power for two weeks after an ice storm in 1998. She had heat from a wood stove, but no way to cook or shower.
"You learn what you can live through," she said. "Because I've been through it, I feel like I definitely have ways to be able to navigate it."
Heating equipment is among the leading causes of home fire deaths, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Space heaters are especially dangerous. It's also not safe to use an oven as a heating source.
Another tip? Have a shovel on hand to clear snow, and sidewalk salt is also helpful, and having some that's pet-friendly can help keep dogs' paws happy.
If the power goes out
Flashlights and extra batteries on hand are essential for being ready for a power outage. That's safer than using candles, which can start fires, Palange says.
Stock up on extra blankets, warm clothes, water and food — especially things that aren't perishable and don't require heating up. Make sure you have a manual can opener if you buy canned food. It's good to have enough food on hand for about three days, she adds.
If you lose heat at home, check whether any warming centers are open in your community. Calling 2-1-1 is free and can connect you to services throughout most of the country. Remember to check on your neighbors and friends, too.
"If you're without power and it's cold, you can close off rooms in your house that you're not using by hanging blankets," Palange says.
If you're using a generator, make sure you only run it outdoors and away from doors, windows, and vents. That helps protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you have to go outside
The National Health Care for the Homeless Council has tips on how to stay safe if you must be outdoors during severe weather.
"It's all about layers," says Shane Beattie, the emergency management director for the town of Lancaster, N.H.
His favorite is a pair of wool socks. Hats and mittens are important, too, he says. Proper footwear, such as boots with good soles, is also important for staying safe when walking in snowy and icy conditions. For those who want more stability, spikes or treads that attach to the bottom of shoes can be a good option.
Wearing several layers of loose-fitting clothing will keep you warmer than wearing one heavy coat. And keeping a scarf over your mouth can help protect your lungs from cold air.
Mike Carmon has spent more than a decade dealing with extreme winter weather while working on the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire. When Carmon goes outside to check the weather equipment on the mountain, he says his layering system involves three parts: a base layer next to your skin, an insulating fleece layer, and a waterproof outer layer that protects against snow, rain, and wind.
Carmon's also careful to make sure he doesn't have any bare skin showing to protect from wind and freezing temperatures. Sometimes, weather observers will check each other to make sure they're fully covered before going outside.
"If you're out there in the elements for even 10 or 15 minutes, that can lead to some frostnip or frostbite," he says.
Learn how to spot and treat frostbite and hypothermia with this guide from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Avoid driving in a winter storm if you can
"If you're not used to driving in snow, don't," says James Langdon, who manages roads and snow plowing for Jackson, N.H. "If you get stranded, you become a road hazard."
It doesn't take much snow to make a road slick, he says, and ice can be even more dangerous. Drivers in states that get a lot of snow often have winter tires or snow chains, which add extra traction. Without those, driving can be especially hazardous. If you have to drive, stay on main roads and try to travel when it's light out. Remember that roads will be slippery. It will take more time to slow down and stop. So it's good to leave extra room between you and other vehicles.
"Take it slow and steady," Langdon says. "You're not going to beat Mother Nature."
If there's a snow squall – a period of blowing snow that makes it hard to see – officials say it's best to pull over and wait for it to pass.
If you get stranded in your car during a blizzard, put your hazard lights on. New Hampshire officials advise putting a distress flag in your window or on your antenna and staying put unless you can see a building where you know you can take shelter. To protect from carbon monoxide poisoning, clear snow from your exhaust pipe and run the engine just enough to keep the car warm, or about 10 minutes every hour.
It's a good idea to keep an emergency kit in your car. That could include a small snow shovel, jumper cables, a flashlight, blankets and extra clothes, chargers for cell phones, water, food, a tow rope, a spare tire, and a first aid kit. Fill up your gas tank, too, or have your car already charged if it's electric.
A bag of sand or kitty litter is also helpful because it can weigh the vehicle down, making it easier to drive in the snow. Plus, if you get stuck, you can sprinkle it on the ground to help with traction.
Several states, including New Hampshire, have laws requiring drivers to clear snow off their cars before getting on the road. A long ice scraper designed for clearing cars is wonderful – but a clean broom to brush off loose flurries and an old gift card to scrape off ice work in a pinch, too.
Pro tip: heat up the car while you're clearing snow, and the ice will melt before you have to scrape.
A version of this story was originally published in January 2025.
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