Winter Storm Preparedness Guide (2026)

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This weekend’s winter storm is going to be a doozy for many areas. We are looking at a convergence of atmospheric conditions that threatens to disrupt infrastructure across a massive swath of the United States. For those who track weather patterns as part of their ongoing prepping assessment, the data indicate a multi-hazard scenario involving Arctic temperatures, heavy snow accumulation, and, most critically, a significant ice storm.

The Preparedness Drill: Anxiety and panic are what happen when preparation hasn’t been made. As a prepper, or at a minimum, a preparedness-minded person, you’re ready for whatever nature throws at you. You have plans and backup plans, so you’re ready to go. If you lose power, don’t look at it as the worst thing that can happen. Instead, see it as an opportunity to figure out how to do it better and be better prepared next time.

This article breaks down the situation based on the latest data and reviews the strategies you should have ready before the first flakes or a drop of freezing rain hits. By the time that happens, you should be settled in, relaxed, and ready to ride it out.

What the Data Says

According to many reports, this storm has taken a historic turn. It’s set to impact the central and eastern US, stretching from the Southern Plains through the Midwest, South, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast. The storm will begin late tomorrow (Friday), peak over the weekend, and stick around in some areas into early next week.

The Arctic Hammer

The driving force behind this event’s severity is brutal Arctic air. We are not just talking about being uncomfortable. We are looking at a life-threatening cold. Temperatures in affected zones could plunge to 30 degrees below zero. When you factor in wind, wind chills could approach 60 degrees below zero.

This level of cold affects your home, gear, vehicles, etc. Batteries drain faster, vehicle fluids freeze, and exposed skin can suffer frostbite in minutes. This type of weather is hard on gear and can outpace what is otherwise well-suited to typical winter storms.

The Ice Belt: Grid Killer

The most dangerous component of this system is the ice. A significant band of freezing rain and sleet is projected to stretch from Texas to the East Coast.

The Texas Ice-Storn of 2021

Winter Storm Uri hit Texas in mid-February 2021, bringing record cold, snow, and ice that overwhelmed the state’s power grid. Blackouts left over 4.5 million homes and businesses without power. At least 246 people died (some estimates suggest up to 700), mainly from hypothermia, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other storm-related causes. The storm caused $195 billion in damage, with widespread infrastructure failures such as burst pipes, sewage failures, and water shortages.

Reports for the upcoming storm highlight a high-risk corridor from Lubbock, Texas, through Dallas-Fort Worth, across northern Mississippi and Tennessee, and into the Carolinas.

• Texas and Oklahoma: Expect light freezing rain in the Panhandles, intensifying to heavier freezing rain in North Central Texas.
• The Critical Zone: From Dallas-Fort Worth to Little Rock, and specifically near the Mississippi River (Memphis area), accumulation could exceed a quarter of an inch. Some models suggest spots could see over one inch of ice accumulation.
• The Consequence: One inch of ice can cause catastrophic, grid-collapsing loads on trees and power lines. So, you can expect widespread, long-duration power outages. In rural areas, restoring power and repairing infrastructure could take days or weeks.

The Snow Belt: Heavy Accumulation

While the south deals with ice, the northern side of this storm will drop heavy snow.

• The Plains: 7-9 inches are possible between Amarillo and Oklahoma City. Wichita could see 8 inches or more.
• The Midwest & Ohio Valley: Jackson, Missouri, is looking at 10 inches. Lexington, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Columbus are in the crosshairs for potentially a foot of snow.
• The East: The heavy snow band extends into Washington D.C., Maryland (Hagerstown/Frederick), and up into Philadelphia and NYC. These areas are likely to see over a foot of accumulation.

How to Prepare for This Winter Storm

If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to make sure you, your family, and your preps are ready to go. It’s time to make your final, pre-storm checks.

1. Stay Warm and Avoid Injuries

When it’s -30°F or even 20°F with strong winds, there’s little room for error when it comes to staying warm. Avoid going outside if you’re able.

Layer Up Smartly: Make sure everyone in your household layers properly if you have to go outside or if your heat goes out.

• Base Layer (Moisture Control): Go for merino wool, alpaca, or quality synthetics—anything that moves sweat away from your skin. If your base layer holds sweat (such as cotton), you can get cold fast—so avoid it.
• Mid Layer (Insulation): Fleece, wool, or puffy jackets work great to trap warm air.
• Outer Layer (Weather Blocker): A solid shell to fight off wind and snow.

Protect Your Extremities: Your fingers, toes, ears, and nose will feel the cold first.

• Keep Your Feet Dry: Wet feet in the cold can lead to injuries even when it’s above freezing. Get inside and out of the cold if your feet feel tingly, itchy, or heavy. Change your socks immediately and dry your feet.
• Keep Socks Clean: Dirty socks don’t insulate well. Always have extras handy—in your car, in your bag, or wherever.

Know the Signs of Cold Stress

• Hypothermia: Look for the “umbles”—stumbles, mumbles, fumbles, grumbles—and shivering. If shivering stops and someone is still cold, it’s a serious medical emergency.
• Frostbite: Check for red or pale, waxy-looking skin and numbness. Don’t rub frostbitten areas. Warm them slowly with body heat or warm water.

Avoid the Ice

• Ice is Dangerous: Ice can bring down trees, and bring you down without warning. Stay inside and avoid the ice whenever possible.
• Salt is Your Friend: Salt, also known as Ice Melt, can be a lifesaver. Spread it out on your porch, sidewalks, driveways, and any areas where ice is or may accumulate. Reapply it as needed. Wood ash and sand can work as substitutes.

2. Make Your Home Storm-Ready

If you’re in the ice belt, expect the power to go out. If your heat is electric, try to get a backup plan ASAP.

Shrink Your Space: Heating your whole house without electricity isn’t realistic. Focus on creating a smaller, warmer area.

• Indoor Tent: Set up a camping tent in your living room. It’s easier to heat a small space with body heat or a portable heater.
• Seal Drafts: Close off unused rooms, hang blankets over windows and doorways, and use Mylar blankets to reflect heat back into your space.

Keep It Safe When Using Alternate Heat Sources: Carbon monoxide poisoning is a major risk with backup heat sources.

• Generators: Run them only outside, at least 20 feet from your house. Never in a garage or on a porch.
• Indoor Heaters: If you’re using propane or kerosene, keep a battery-powered CO detector near it. Crack a window for ventilation. Never rely on your oven or grill for heat.

Charge Your Backups: If you have rechargeable batteries or solar generators, get them charged up and ready to go

• Lights: Make sure your emergency lights, flashlights, and others are charged and ready to go.
• Medical Devices: Check the batteries in medical devices such as hearing aids, CPAP machines, and oxygen concentrators.

Note: If you have StarLink for your Internet, make sure the heater is running. And if the power goes out and you’re running on a battery backup, consider shutting off the heat so it doesn’t drain your energy reserve.

3. Protect Your Pipes

Frozen pipes can spell disaster. When water freezes, it expands and can burst your pipes.

Prevention Basics

• Insulate: Wrap exposed pipes with foam, towels, or whatever you’ve got.
• Keep Air Moving: Open cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air in.
• Let It Drip: A small trickle of water keeps your pipes from freezing solid.
• Outdoor Faucets: Disconnect hoses and cover spigots with insulated covers or rags.

Water Storage: Plan for the water supply to stop flowing.

• Fill Your Bathtub: Clean it first, and fill it up before the storm. That’s 50+ gallons of water for washing and flushing.
• Stock Drinking Water: You need 1 gallon per person per day. Fill every container you can find.

4. Prep Your Vehicle

Driving in an ice storm is a last resort. Black ice and downed power lines are no joke. But your vehicle is still an important resource.

What to Do Before the Storm

• Fuel Up: Keep the tank full. No power = no gas pumps. Your car can also act as a temporary heater or phone charger (if used safely).
• Traction Tools: Carry sand or kitty litter, a shovel, and jumper cables.
• Cold Weather Kit: Pack essentials like a blanket, gloves, extra socks, hand warmers, and high-calorie snacks in case you get stranded.

If You’re Stuck in Your Car

• Stay in the car—it’s the safest place and easier to find you.
• Run the engine for 10 minutes an hour for heat. Keep a window cracked to prevent CO buildup.
• Check the exhaust pipe to make sure it’s not blocked by snow.

5. Stock the Right Food

You don’t want to rely on cooking during a power outage, especially if fuel is limited.

Easy, High-Calorie Foods

• Think peanut butter, crackers, energy bars, canned meats, and dried fruit.
• Cold weather burns more calories, so eat more than usual.
• Stay hydrated—it’s easy to forget in winter, but dehydration makes hypothermia worse.

Medications

• Refill prescriptions before the storm. Pharmacies may close or be inaccessible.

6. Get Your Head in the Game

Being mentally prepared is half the battle.

• Expect Delays: Emergency services may be slow or unavailable. Be ready to handle things on your own. Don’t do anything that’s going to get you hurt—like messing with a trashcan on the ice.
• Check on Others: If you’re set, look out for vulnerable neighbors, family, and others, such as elderly folks or those unprepared for the storm.
• Stay Updated: Use a weather app or NOAA radio to track changes. Snow turning into ice changes your risks fast.

7. Keep Spirits Up When the Power’s Down

When the lights go out, it’s not just about survival—it’s about making life bearable until things return to normal. Boredom and restlessness can get to anyone, especially when you’re stuck inside for days.

• Books: Keep a stash of paperbacks, magazines, or manuals handy. Reading is a solid way to stay occupied and keep your mind sharp.
• Games: Board games, cards, dice, and puzzles are worth their weight in gold. They’ll keep minds engaged and entertain families or groups.
• Make a List: Keep a notebook to record what works, what doesn’t, and what you observe during the storm. It helps pass the time and can provide good insights for the future.
• Creative Time: Drawing, writing, or even planning future projects can break up the monotony.
• Relax: We live busy, hectic lives bombarded by the craziness of social media, legacy media, etc. So, if your power is down, and you can get online or watch the idiot box, look at it as a blessing and a break.

A little forethought on non-electric activities can make all the difference when the power goes out. It keeps morale up and gives your crew something positive to focus on.

The Bottom Line

This storm could be one for the modern history books. Take a little time to check your plans, supplies, and home before it hits. If you lose power, stay calm. Relax and work the situation one problem at a time until you don’t have any problems left to work on. You are here because your ancestors survived nature’s tests, going back to the beginning of human history. You’re the product of survivors and will get through this, too.

Stay warm, stay safe, and take care of each other. You’re a prepper, so you’ve got this!