U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Blog

Was this page helpful?

Plan for Extreme Cold Before It Arrives

Extreme cold weather is dangerous and should be taken seriously. Winter storms can bring snow, sleet, and freezing rain across the United States. Thousands of people are injured or killed every year in traffic accidents related to slippery roads from winter storms. 

To ensure your safety and the safety of others, know when to expect cold weather in your area. Always check the forecast at weather.gov or your favorite weather app, station, etc.

Below are a few safety tips from the National Weather Service before and during a winter storm. 

Winter Driving

  • Winterize your car for optimum visibility and performance in icy/snowy conditions. Ensure wiper blades, headlights, and anti-icing fluid are well-maintained. Install snow tires on your vehicle for better traction when routinely driving in snow and icy environments.
  • Remove snow and ice from the windshield, lights, and the body of your car before driving. 
  • Beware of driving during winter storms. Blinding wind-driven snow, icy conditions, downed trees, and power lines can put you at greater risk of injury or becoming stranded in freezing temperatures.
  • Make sure your car or vehicle has at least half a tank of gas during extreme cold so that you can stay warm if you become stranded.
  • Be cautious on bridges, overpasses, and infrequently traveled roads where you are more likely to encounter slick ice.
  • Avoid using cruise control on icy roads.

Replenish your emergency kits

  • You never know when you may become stranded or stuck in a traffic accident. Always keep an emergency kit in your vehicle. Kits should include water, food, a flashlight, extra batteries, candles, a radio, food, blankets, a blanket, and a change of shoes. An external phone charger might also come in handy.

Prevent Slips and Falls

  • Go slow, take smaller steps, and wear appropriate shoes. 
  • Avoid carrying too many items at once.
  • Keep walkways, stairs, and where you park free of snow. 
  • Beware of black ice.  

Stay Inside

  • When using heat from a fireplace, wood stove, space heater, etc., use fire safeguards and properly ventilate. If you have a gas furnace, make sure it is not blocked by a snowdrift as soon as it's safe to go out. If you have an upstairs gas furnace that vents out the roof, you may need to turn off the upstairs unit until the snow melts off your roof.

The National Weather Service supports all aspects of keeping the public safe from weather, water, and climate hazards and meeting the NWS's mission to protect lives and property. 

Bureaus and Offices