How to Prepare for a Blizzard (At Home and On the Road)

Brief Answer: In order to prepare for a blizzard, you should start by stocking essential supplies, securing reliable heat and power backup, winterizing your home, and avoiding travel unless absolutely necessary. If you must be on the road, keep an emergency kit, a full tank of fuel, warm clothing, and communication tools.

Blizzards and severe winter storms can be dangerous. The extreme cold, ice, freezing rain, and high winds often lead to power outages and travel difficulties. The best ways to prepare for blizzards include stocking up on essentials, investing in a reliable home backup source, creating a family emergency plan, etc. 

Jackery Solar Generators are reliable and portable home battery backups that can run most household appliances, such as portable heaters, lights, lamps, mobile phones, etc. This guide will help you understand how to prepare for a blizzard, including how to check the warnings, what to do when the winter storm arrives, etc.

AI Takeaways

• You can check blizzard warnings by monitoring National Weather Service alerts, local news, weather apps, and NOAA radio, so you know when conditions are turning dangerous.
• Preparing at home means stocking food, water, medications, warm clothing, batteries, and securing a dependable heat and power backup while making sure your home is insulated and pipes are protected.
• When the blizzard arrives, stay indoors, avoid all travel, keep phones charged, conserve heat, and follow official updates until conditions improve and it’s safe to move around again.
• Jackery Solar Generators help you stay prepared by keeping heaters, lights, phones, and essential devices powered during outages, giving you reliable backup when grid power fails in severe blizzard conditions.

How to Check Blizzard Warning？

The National Weather Service website (weather.gov) is reliable for checking blizzard or winter storm warnings. Here, you can access the latest weather alerts and warnings for your specific location. You can also find this information through their mobile app or by listening to local weather reports on radio or television. 

It is better to always check the forecast for your exact area on the National Weather Service website to get accurate information about potential blizzard warnings. A blizzard warning means showing or blowing snow will reduce the visibility to ¼ mile or less for 3 hours or longer. You can also expect sustained winds of 35 mph or greater or frequent gusts of 35 mph or greater.

How to Prepare for a Blizzard at Home?

In order to prepare for a blizzard, you should gather essential supplies, prepare your home by insulating and sealing it, and create a family emergency plan. We’ll dive into each of the following points in more depth throughout the article. But, for now, here’s a high-level look at the most effective things you can do to get yourself ready for a blizzard.

• Stock up on essentials
• Invest in a reliable backup source of power
• Create a family emergency action plan
• Keep your vehicle prepared for winter weather
• Stormproof your home
• Put together a car safety kit
• Preparing a winter storm preparation checklist

Let's expand on how to prepare for a blizzard and other winter storms with easy tips: 

Stock Up On Essentials

A key part of your winter storm preparation is making sure that you have enough of what you need to survive in the event that you can’t get to a store. A blizzard or winter storm survival kit should include non-perishable food, drinking water (since your pipes may freeze), and basic medical supplies.

Here are some good food items to keep on hand for a blizzard:

• 3-day supply of drinking water
• Trail mix
• Canned soup
• Peanut butter
• Protein bars
• Dry pasta
• Hot chocolate mix
• Canned beans (great for protein)
• Jerky
• Pet food

On top of food and drinking water, you will also want to have some basic supplies at home. Here’s a winter storm survival kit to get you started:

• Bandaids
• Prescription medications
• Ibuprofen or aspirin
• Batteries
• Candles
• Flashlights
• Personal hygiene products

Keep these things at home and your family will be well on its way to being ready for a blizzard.

Invest in a Reliable Backup Source of Power

While preparing for a blizzard, the goal is to give yourself the ability to be completely self-sufficient for a few days if you need to be. A big part of that is making sure that you have a reliable source for backup power.

But generators are costly, noisy, and extremely dangerous to keep in your home. That’s why you should consider picking up a portable power station from Jackery instead.

The power stations are available in lots of different sizes, so you can pick one that satisfies your energy requirements.

For example, the Jackery HomePower 3000 will power a mini cooler (100W) for 21.4 hours or an electric grill (800W) for 3.2 hours. So keeping one charged at home (or in your car) could let you continue enjoying your favorite foods even during a blizzard.

Create a Family Emergency Plan

When something serious like a blizzard happens, it can be difficult in the moment to wrap your head around exactly what your family should be doing to stay safe. That’s why the federal government recommends that families create an emergency plan.

Your emergency plan should detail:

• How you will receive emergency alerts and warnings
• What your shelter plan is
• How you will evacuate your home if necessary
• How you’ll communicate with your family members if some aren’t with you
• What you plan on keeping in your emergency preparedness kit

Thinking ahead like this is important because it gives you a clear playbook to follow when a blizzard happens. That way, the decisions that you make are logical and well-planned instead of spontaneous and driven by emotions.

Keep Your Vehicle Prepared for Winter Weather

Part of preparing for blizzards is making sure that your vehicle is reliable enough to make it through one. You may not end up needing to use it if you can hunker down at home. But blizzards are unpredictable. You could be on the road or need to go pick up a family member somewhere when one strikes.

So as you think about how to prepare for a blizzard at home, don’t forget your car. Take it in for a winter tune-up at the start of the snow season. Make sure your defroster and heater are working. And create a second winter preparedness pack for your vehicle (more information on what that should include is in the next section).

It’s also smart not to let your gas tank get too low during the winter. That’s because traffic during the winter months can get very slow unexpectedly. And when that happens, your gas tank could deplete faster than usual.

Put Together a Car Safety Kit

Winter storms can be unpredictable. So as you think about what you should do in case of a blizzard, you definitely want to make sure that you have a winter kit ready to go in your vehicle.

Here are their minimum requirements:

• Blankets, mittens, socks, and hats
• Ice scraper
• Jumper cables
• Flashlight
• First-aid kit
• Bottled water
• Multi-tool
• Road flares or reflective triangles

If you’re really worried about what effects should someone expect from a blizzard, then you can put even more items in your vehicle bag. This can include:

• Non-perishable food
• Blankets
• Sand (to give your car traction)
• Tow straps
• Sleeping bags
• Hand warmers
• Snow shovel
• Anything else that could be useful in the event that you get stranded in your vehicle in the snow

Stormproof Your Home

As you think about what to do before a blizzard, storm-proofing your home is another important step to take. There are a variety of home-improvement tasks you can do now so that you don’t have to worry about how to survive a blizzard when one comes.

Start by weatherstripping your doors and windows. You can also insulate your pipes, caulk any airflow gaps, and have your heating system inspected at the start of the winter.

Prepare a Winter Storm Preparation Checklist 

Before the storm strikes, you need to prepare for a winter storm preparation checklist. The main concerns during the winter storm are shortage of supplies if the storm continues for more than a day, loss of heat, and unavailability of power and telephone service. According to the National Weather Service, here is the winter preparedness checklist. 

• Flashlight with extra batteries 
• Battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio
• Extra food and water
• Extra prescription medicine
• Fire extinguisher and smoke alarm
• Baby items such as formula and diapers
• Emergency heat source 
• Extra pet food and warm shelter for pets
• First aid supplies

You can also pack a portable power source, like Jackery Portable Power Station, to run electronics when the grid fails to supply electricity to appliances. 

Another important thing to remember is how to prepare for a blizzard for kids. As a parent, you should make sure to have a "blizzard bag" with extra warm clothes, snacks, water, a flashlight, batteries, and a blanket for kids. Ensure kids stay inside as much as possible and are dressed in layers.

For Stephanie Adkins, storms in Palatka used to mean bracing for days of discomfort. Everything changed when she installed the Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus. The first time the transfer switch clicked on and her TV didn’t even blink, she felt relief. Now her breathing machine stays on through every outage, her home stays livable, and she no longer panics when the forecast turns ominous. Read her Jackery Story to learn how reliable power changed her life during Florida storms.

What to Do When a Blizzard Arrives?

When a blizzard arrives, you should stay indoors and avoid traveling. It is important to keep doors closed and avoid bringing any gas-powered appliances indoors. Remember, one part of preparing for a blizzard is knowing what you should and shouldn’t do when one actually arrives. Here are some blizzard tips to get you started.

Only travel if absolutely necessary

Being on the road during a blizzard is extremely dangerous. It increases your chances of hypothermia, accidents, and death. That’s why you should only travel during a winter storm if it’s absolutely necessary for you to do so.

Examples of necessary trips include going to a winter shelter, picking up a stranded family member, and seeking medical attention if it’s needed.

If you are traveling, follow these tips

Sometimes blizzards strike unexpectedly. If you’re on the road during a winter storm, there are things that you can do to keep yourself safe.

First, don’t exit your vehicle. You will quickly become disoriented in the wind and snow. And the last thing that you want is to get lost in the middle of a blizzard.

Second, run your motor for about 10 minutes every hour for heat. You will also need to clear the snow from your exhaust pipe to avoid gas poisoning.

It’s also important for you to make yourself visible to rescuers. You can do that by keeping your interior and exterior car lights on when you’re running the engine. You can also pop your head. Or tie a bright piece of fabric to your door or antenna.

Keep room, bathroom, and other doors closed

It’s also a smart idea to keep any doors that don’t need to be open closed during a blizzard. Doing so should help to keep your house warmer by reducing the amount of space that your heater is covering.

Don’t bring any gas-powered appliances indoors

This is a really important point for blizzard safety. Gas-powered appliances, such as generators and camping stoves, are extremely dangerous to use indoors.

These devices can cause carbon monoxide poisoning when used in enclosed spaces. If you want to be able to use your appliances indoors during a snowstorm, pick up a safer alternative (like a portable power station from Jackery).

Use warm water on frozen pipes

Pipes often freeze during intense winter storms. When that happens, they won’t dispense any water. This is why it’s important to make sure that you have a lot of water on hand as you think about how to prepare for a blizzard.

But you can also potentially solve a frozen pipe issue on your own. To do so, use these steps:

1. Locate where the pipes are most exposed to the harsh weather
2. Remove insulation
3. Open all faucets
4. Pour hot water over the affected areas

Understand when it’s time to go to a shelter

Sometimes, even the most prepared family won’t be able to deal with everything that a blizzard throws at them. That’s why it’s crucial to know both where the nearest shelter is in your area and when it’s time for your family to go to it.

Your family should go to a shelter if it’s without power for an extended period of time, out of supplies, or dealing with extremely cold weather.

Jackery Solar Generators to Prepare for a Blizzard

When blizzards and winter storms hit the area, the chances of power outages increase. Jackery offers a wide range of portable battery backups for homes that can run essential household appliances for hours. For example, they can power your refrigerator to keep the food fresh or lights to illuminate the space. Let's check out the best Jackery Solar Generators, which are ideal for long-term power outages caused by blizzards and winter storms. Depending on how many kWh does a house uses, you can choose the right size solar generator for your house. 

Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus 

The Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is a powerful and essential home battery backup with a massive battery capacity and the ability to run almost all of your appliances.  The dual voltage support feature ensures you can power various applications, including refrigerators that run on 120V and clothes dryers that run on 240V. The 0ms UPS switchover allows you to switch from on-grid power to a battery backup source, ensuring essential appliances remain powered up.

Appliances Running Time

• Refrigerator (300W) = 12.2H
• Space Heater (1000W) = 4.1H
• Induction Cooktop (1000W) = 4.1H
• Electric Blanket (100W) = 28.6H
• Water Heater (1200W) = 3.4H 

Who Should Buy This

If you live in an area that experiences frequent power outages due to blizzards or other emergencies and want to keep most essential appliances powered, you may consider the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus.

Customer Review 

“This 5000 Plus does the job. My power went out, and this worked on my major items. The size and good wheels make it easy to move around.” — Ray Fowler.

Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus is an essential home backup solution that can keep appliances powered during long outages. With higher output and expandable storage, it can run multiple heaters, larger appliances, and essential electronics all at once. When the blizzard hits hard, it keeps you warm, keeps your food safe, and keeps your home functioning even when the grid is down. Whether you are powering entire rooms, medical devices, or multiple family electronics, it gives you enough energy to get through long storms without stress.

Appliances Running Time

• Refrigerator (300W) = 9.5H
• Space Heater (1000W) = 3.0H
• Induction Cooktop (1000W) = 3.0H
• Electric Blanket (100W) = 25.0H
• Water Heater (1200W) = 2.5H 

Who Should Buy This

The Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus is ideal for large families, cold-region homes, and anyone who needs long-duration backup during long blizzards.

Customer Review 

“I love it. The best part about it is that my wife can run her dialysis machine for an entire week before having to recharge it. Thank you, Jackery, for making such a reliable machine.” — Andrew Taylor.

Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000

The Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000 is a compact battery backup solution for situations when a blizzard knocks out power and the house suddenly feels colder by the minute. It can run your essential devices, including space heaters, lights, phones, and even a small fridge, so you don’t have to scramble in the dark or worry about staying warm. It is simple to use, quiet, and dependable, which matters during a storm when everything else feels uncertain. With this solar generator, you can ride out the blizzard comfortably with heat, light, and communication still intact.

Appliances Running Time

• Refrigerator (300W) = 8.1H

• Space Heater (1000W) = 2.6H

• Induction Cooktop (1000W) = 2.6H

• Electric Blanket (100W) = 21.4H

• Water Heater (1200W) = 2.1H 

Who Should Buy This

The Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000 is ideal for small or medium households that want dependable warmth and essential power during blizzard-related outages.

Customer Review 

“This generator is awesome. I tried plugging different appliances in, and it worked great. I know now that when that emergency hits, this solar generator is going to be the backup electricity that we need. Very simple to use.” — Randy Kehn.

Conclusion 

Preparing for a blizzard comes down to having a solid plan and the right essentials in place before the storm hits. When you stock up on supplies, safeguard your home, and stay alert to weather updates, you can stay safe and comfortable through severe conditions. An essential home power backup can also make a big difference, especially when outages stretch longer than expected. Jackery Solar Generators provide steady, clean energy for heating, lighting, and communication when the grid is down.