subject: How To Prepare For The Upcoming Winter Weather [print this page] It snowed in my town for the first time yesterday. While it had melted by this afternoon, I am still even more alert to the cold weather that will be approaching in the coming weeks. If you're like me, you may feel somewhat unprepared. So I've compiled some of the best tips to make winter a little more enjoyable.
The most crucial first step is to make sure you have all the right apparel. If you have moved from a locale where snow is rarely, if ever, in the forecast, or if you have outgrown some of your clothes, it is time to go shopping.
Keep your eyes peeled for the best sales in your area. If you have time before the blizzards hit, you should stock up gradually. You will certainly need waterproof boots; you also need to make sure that you have plenty of thick socks that will insulate well against the cold.
Next, you need to figure out what your car needs. Change your oil over to a type that is formulated specially to cope with low temperatures. If the snowfall is heavy enough in your region, you may want to invest in snow tires. You will also need to have chains; keep these in your trunk at all times.
Be sure to develop storage of canned food, matches, candles, powdered milk, and so on. If you get snowed in, you will be able to wait it out. Be sure to have plenty of blankets, fuel, and a snow shovel as well.
Now that you are all prepared to brave the cold months of the year, you need to know how to best enjoy the chilly evenings inside. If you have certain activities you enjoy, then you will want to find out if you can make adjustments to continue to enjoy them in the cold.
For example, if you enjoy running, then you may want to find a neighborhood where the sidewalks are typically cleared of snow--or you might find a local gym or community center that has a track.
Be sure to have a supply of tea, hot cocoa, and gourmet coffee to savor and share with friends and family whenever they come in from the cold. Blue mountain coffee, Hawaiian blends, and heated herbal tea can really hit the spot when you have spent some time trudging through snowdrifts!
Take this time to really catch up on your reading. While clear days are perfect to be outside for skating and sledding, the snowy days are perfect for encouraging you to curl up on the couch with a new novel--guilt free!
If you have little experience living in a snowy region, the preparation can be daunting. But with this advice and a little help, you will be able to make a successful transition and perhaps even learn to enjoy the weather!
