Upstate’s Declassified Winter Weather Survival Guide

Homeowners and car owners everywhere know better than anyone else the challenges winter weather brings, especially here in upstate New York. In snowy months, we are used to having to shovel or snow-blow a path out of the driveway since the snow plows have blocked us in for a third time that day. Don't even get me started on how stressful it is to be stranded somewhere with a dead car battery when it's anything less than 60 degrees out. However, it is expected that this Holiday season's temperatures will be a bit warmer than usual (almanac.com). While that may come with warmer, more tolerable weather, it also may lead to icier conditions if snow melts during the day just to freeze at night. The Federal Highway Administration explains how 1300 people die annually in car crashes on pavement that is too snowy, slushy, or icy.

Snow and ice reduce pavement friction and vehicle maneuverability, causing slower speeds, reduced roadway capacity, and increased crash risk. -Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation

Therefore, it's always a good idea to have a working knowledge of how to drive carefully in the winter, as well as how to ready your house or car for the season. That being said, here are some tips and healthy habits to get into for this upcoming winter season. Any preparation you do now is sure to save you time, energy, and money that you'd otherwise be spending on repairs later on in the winter.

Check out the National Weather Service's Winter Resources for an even more in depth list of tips and tricks for dealing with winter weather.