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Another arctic blast is on the way—here's how to prepare for extreme cold weather

Tips to weather extreme cold

Person scraping off of a windshield Credit: Getty Images/ Milan Krasula

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Winter is in full swing for most of the country. An arctic blast full of snow and ice has come to the South and Midwest, with the Northwest being the next region expected to be hit with frost. While there were warning signs, many were caught unaware by the frigid conditions. If you’re still struggling to figure out how to manage the weather, or you’re looking to prepare for the next arctic blast that comes along, we’ve come up with a checklist to help you weather the storm.

What is an arctic blast?

An arctic blast refers to a rapid push of cold air from the poles that extend beyond the air’s usual reach. When this happens, it leads to many facing dangerously cold temperatures.

When will the arctic blast be over?

We're unfortunately not past the worst of the arctic blast, as the Northeast region is expected to see another arctic blast hit it in the coming weekend. Relief is finally expected to come next week, when temperatures will begin to rise across the country, leading to more moderate winter temperatures by the end of the month.

How to prepare for extreme cold weather

1) Protect your home’s pipes

The cold temperatures can cause your pipes to freeze and burst if you’re not careful. One way to mitigate this risk is to keep your home at a set temperature. Most experts recommend setting your thermostat to 55ºF to protect your pipes. For an easily programmable thermostat, we recommend using a smart thermostat such as our favorite, the Nest Learning Thermostat. It boasts intuitive controls and works with both Alexa and Google Assistant. Plus, if you’re away from home when an arctic blast hits, you can set your thermostat while you’re on the go.

Product image of Google Nest Learning Thermostat
Google Nest Learning Thermostat

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You can also run hot water to keep your pipes from getting too cold. If you don’t want to run water at set intervals, you can keep your faucets dripping hot water for an hour or two.

You can make sure that your pipes aren’t damaged or leaking by using a smart water leak detector such as the best one we’ve tested, Moen’s Flo detector. We love the Flo because it’s compact, has an easy app, and gives instant alerts when leaks are detected.

Product image of Moen Flo Smart Water Leak Detector 920-004
Moen Flo Smart Water Leak Detector 920-004

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2) Layer up

When an arctic blast hits, you’ll want to make sure you’re wearing plenty of layers, not just for comfort, but for your safety, too. Even those who are used to cold weather can take for granted just how cold it can really get — you run the risk of getting frostbite by spending just a few minutes outside, particularly after sunset. You should limit the amount of time you spend outdoors as much as possible, but if you have to go outside, only do so while wearing quality gloves and boots.

3) Keep your home well-insulated

All the heat in the world won’t keep your home warm for long if the heat can easily escape back outside. Because of this, you must keep particularly drafty parts of the house well-insulated. Windows can be prepped for arctic blasts and vortexes by covering them with a seal. One of the most popular window seals on Amazon is by Frost King and can be easily applied with just your hands and a hair dryer.

Product image of Frost King V73/9H Indoor Shrink Window Kit 42 62-Inch
Frost King V73/9H Indoor Shrink Window Kit 42 62-Inch

Keep your room well-insulated by using this shrink kit.

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For doors, you can attach a door sweep such as this one from Suptikes, which will stop gaps between your door and the floor up to 1 inch in height.

Product image of Suptikes 2 Pack Door Draft Stopper
Suptikes 2 Pack Door Draft Stopper

Using a stopgap will keep your home warm.

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4) Use a space heater with caution

If your heater isn’t up to snuff (or if it’s non-existent), you still have options for keeping warm. Beyond bundling up, we recommend using a space heater to keep you warm. The best space heater we’ve tested is the DeLonghi HMP1500. We mainly love this heater for its versatility, as its easy to move and can be wall mounted.

Product image of DeLonghi Mica Panel Space Heater
DeLonghi Mica Panel Space Heater

Our favorite space heater can bring relief from the cold.

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If you decide to use a space heater, make sure to do so safely, only running it when you’re awake and near it, to name a few guidelines.

5) Prepare your car for the cold

Your car will be your safest method of travel when it’s below freezing, so it’s vital to make sure it’s in working order. You’ll want to make sure you have winter windshield fluid available ahead of time. It’s important to have winter windshield fluid specifically, as all-season fluid can freeze when it’s 32º F or colder.

Product image of PEAK DE-ICER Windshield Washer Fluid
PEAK DE-ICER Windshield Washer Fluid

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If your car breaks down, you’ll need a way to stay warm, so it’s best to keep a blanket in your car during the winter months.

Another thing you should always keep in your car or readily available during the winter is a snow brush. When there’s a storm, make sure to brush and scrape your car early and often, as the more layers of snow and ice that pile up on your car, the harder it becomes to clear. Pro tip: if you're keeping your brush in your car, just make sure to keep it in the main cabin instead of the trunk, as your trunk may become hard to open due to the freezing temperatures.

Product image of AstroAI 27 Inch Snow Brush and Detachable Ice Scraper
AstroAI 27 Inch Snow Brush and Detachable Ice Scraper

You'll need a snow brush and snow scrape if you plan on hitting the road during an arctic blast.

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Lastly, make sure to check your tire pressure after temperatures drop. Tires can quickly lose pressure in colder weather — a good rule of thumb is that tires will lose 1 pound per square inch (psi) of pressure for every 10ºF drop in temperature. You can check to see if your tires are low on pressure by using a gauge.

Product image of AstroAI Digital Tire Pressure Gauge
AstroAI Digital Tire Pressure Gauge

Always make sure your tires have enough air.

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6) Get ice melt and a snow shovel to clear off your sidewalk

Ice melt is another must-buy when dealing with an arctic blast, as the salt will help melt the snow and ice around your house which will mitigate the risk of slipping and falling your sidewalk or driveway. To finish clearing the snow, you’ll need a quality shovel. Shoveling should be done quickly after snow begins to fall and often, as it will become harder to shovel the more snow falls and freezes. The best shovel you can buy is the Suncast SC3250 18-inch Snow Shovel/Pusher Combo. We love this shovel because it’s comfortable to hold and maneuver, making plowing and shoveling a breeze. Just make sure you’re using a proper shoveling technique so that you don’t hurt yourself.

Product image of Suncast Snow Shovel & Pusher
Suncast Snow Shovel & Pusher

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7) Stock up on safety essentials

As with any extreme weather, you should make sure to keep your house stocked with safety essentials during an arctic blast. One of these essentials is a first aid kit. We like the Protect Life 100-Piece First Aid Kit because it’s lightweight, compact, and stocked with all the essentials.

Product image of First Aid Kit - 100-Piece Small First Aid Kit
First Aid Kit - 100-Piece Small First Aid Kit

Keep a first aid kit in case of an emergency.

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Other basic safety essentials to have on hand include an emergency radio, batteries, flashlights, blankets, and canned food.

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