Winter storm watch: what it means and what to do

What to do now

• A watch means a significant winter storm is possible, so prepare. A warning means one is imminent or underway, so take action.
• Stock several days of food, water and medication, plus extra batteries, a radio and flashlights, before the storm arrives.
• Insulate and weather-strip your home, learn how to keep pipes from freezing, and test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
• Never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven, and use generators and grills only outdoors and away from windows.

From our winter storm preparedness checklist guide, which links every source.

At home

• Limit your time outside: CDC says winter storms can bring cold, power failures, lost communications and icy roads, and staying indoors as much as possible can help reduce the risk of car crashes and falls on ice, though there are hazards inside the home too.
• Plan for loss of heat, power and phone service: have flashlights with extra batteries, a battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio, food that needs no cooking or refrigeration, water and extra prescription medicine (NWS).
• If you use a fireplace, wood stove or space heater, use fire safeguards and keep it properly ventilated, and never run a generator in an enclosed space (NWS).
• Make sure your carbon monoxide detector works and the outside vent is clear of leaves and debris; during or after the storm, make sure it is cleared of snow (NWS).
• Avoid overexertion such as shoveling heavy snow, pushing a car or walking in deep snow if you are not in good health: NWS warns the strain from the cold and hard labor may cause a heart attack.

From NWS: Prepare! Don't Let a Winter Storm Take You by Surprise and NWS: What To Do If You're Caught in a Winter Storm and CDC: Winter Weather: Before, During, and After.

On the road

• Do not travel. If you must, NWS says to carry a winter survival kit, keep the tank near full, clear all snow and ice off the vehicle, and tell someone your route and timetable.
• Slow down: roads that just look wet can still be slick. If you have trouble seeing, pull over and stop until visibility improves; turn off your lights and set the parking brake so another car won't follow your tail lights into you (NWS).
• If you get stuck, stay in the vehicle: in wind-driven snow and cold you become disoriented quickly outside (NWS).
• Run the motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat; while it runs, open a window a little for fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, and clear snow from the exhaust pipe (NWS).
• Be visible: tie a bright cloth, preferably red, to the antenna or door, turn on the dome light at night while the engine runs, and raise the hood once the snow stops (NWS).

From NWS: What To Do If You're Caught in a Winter Storm and NWS: Winter Weather Warnings, Watches and Advisories.

Watch, warning or advisory?

Each in the National Weather Service's own words.

Get ready before the next one

Also: How to stay warm without power in winter, safely · Power outage checklist · Winter car emergency kit

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