Winter Driving Tips to Weather Snowstorms

The National Weather Service (NWS) announced winter storm warnings for eight states on Sunday as El Niño brings more precipitation to several regions across the United States, possibly signaling for a rough winter ahead.

Driving through winter storms can be intimidating. Especially in areas that don't get much snow, like Dallas, where drivers slid across a highway after an icestorm earlier this year.

Fortunately, the NWS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have advice for drivers navigating winter snowstorms. Read what they have to say, plus tips on getting your car ready for winter and surviving travel emergencies.

Tips for Driving in the Snow

The best way to avoid trouble on the road during a winter storm is to stay home. However, if you must drive:

• Check road conditions. You can call 511 to get an update on conditions in your area or check your state's department of transportation (DOT) webpage.
• Drive slowly. You should drive at least 10 miles per hour below the speed limit in snowy conditions. Drive even slower if the snow is particularly heavy and visibility is limited.
• Give drivers extra space. It takes much longer to slow down and stop on icy or snowy roads, even if you have snow tires.
• Clear snow and ice from your car before your drive. Large chunks of snow and ice can fly off your car as you accelerate. Make sure you clean everything off, so you don't cause an accident behind you.
• Communicate with friends and family. Let them know when you're leaving, where you're going and when you expect to arrive. They can alert rescuers if you don't show up on time, potentially saving your life if you're stuck on the side of the road in whiteout conditions.
• Pull over if things conditions get worse. If visibility drops or roads become untraversable, pull over and apply your parking brake so your rear lights are visible. Wait until things improve before you get back on the road.

How to Get Your Car Ready for Winter Weather

Safe winter driving starts before the first snow. Use mild weather late in the fall or early in the winter to:

• Put on snow tires. They improve traction on snow and ice, but they aren't a silver bullet. You should still drive carefully. Check local laws before using chains or studs.
• Double check your tires. Winter is the worst time to drive with worn treads, which reduce your traction. This is a good time of year to rotate your tires, ensuring they wear evenly.
• Change your oil. Oil can get thicker or even freeze in cold enough conditions. Use fresh synthetic oil for the best winter performance.
• Refill winter washer fluid. All season or winter windshield washer fluid is formulated so it doesn't freeze. De-icing blends can also help keep your windshield clear in cold weather.
• Invest in a snow and ice scraper. You should always clean your car before you drive in the winter, so you have good visibility and don't send chunks of ice flying at other vehicles. Keep a scraper in your car and make a habit of cleaning before every trip.

How to Handle a Winter Travel Emergency

Even the safest and most prepared drivers can end up in emergency situations where snow and ice strand their cars on the side of the road.

The CDC recommends keeping an emergency kit in your car with:

• Food and water
• Flashlight and spare batteries
• Portable cell phone charger
• First-aid kit
• Extra layers, including jackets, blankets and a sleeping bag
• Spare tires, jack and lug wrench
• Jumper cables and safety glasses
• Hammer and seat belt cutter
• Road flares

If you are stuck on the side of the road, stay in your vehicle and wrap yourself in extra layers to keep warm. The CDC recommends running your engine for 10 minutes every hour to use the heater and charge your cell phone if necessary.

Do not leave your car running indefinitely. This can cause poisonous carbon monoxide to build up in the cabin. Crack your window slightly and make sure there's no ice in your exhaust pipe whenever you run the engine.

Use your flares, tie something bright to your antenna and keep your lights on while you run the engine to make yourself visible to rescuers.

Winter Storm Warning vs. Winter Storm Watch: What Do They Mean for Drivers?

According to the NWS, winter storm warning and winter storm watch apply to winter storms with:

• 5 inches or more of snow or sleet within a 12-hour period or 7 inches or more of snow/sleet within a 24-hour period
• Or enough ice accumulation to cause damage to trees or powerlines
• Or a life-threatening or damaging combination of snow and ice with wind

The difference between the two is timing. The NWS issues a winter storm watch for weather events that may happen in the next 48 hours. It issues a winter storm warning for storms that are happening now or will start soon.

For drivers, a winter storm watch means that you should reconsider your travel plans in the next day or so. If you need to stock up on groceries or talk to your boss about working from home through bad weather, do it when you first hear about the winter storm watch.

A winter storm warning means that the roads are bad now or will be very shortly. Avoid driving when a winter storm warning is in effect.