A blizzard can flip a normal drive into a dangerous mess in just minutes. Whiteout conditions, freezing temps, and heavy snow make it way too risky to leave your vehicle. The safest way to stay warm in a vehicle during a blizzard is to conserve heat, block out cold air, and run the engine in short intervals while keeping the exhaust pipe clear.
When you’re trapped, every choice matters. Small moves—like huddling together, grabbing blankets, and sealing up drafts—can mean the difference between staying safe and losing body heat too fast.
Heat slips away quicker than most people think, and if your body temp drops, it’s tough to bounce back.
Knowing what to do before, during, and after the storm really matters. You need to manage fuel, avoid carbon monoxide, and use your emergency supplies wisely. Each step adds a layer of protection against the cold.
Let’s break down the steps and strategies that have actually kept people alive in some of the nastiest winter conditions.
Immediate Actions When Trapped
Cold, wind, and snow can make things unsafe inside a stranded vehicle fast. Quick, smart actions help you hold onto heat, stay safe, and boost your chances of getting rescued.
Small, careful steps usually work better than risky attempts to leave on foot.
Remain Calm and Assess the Situation
Panic just burns energy and leads to bad decisions. Take a few deep breaths and focus on what you need right now.
Check your phone signal and, if you can, call 911 to share your location and situation. Mention landmarks, GPS coordinates, or mile markers—anything that helps rescuers find you faster.
Next, look at your fuel level, clothing, blankets, and any food or water you have. This quick check will show you how to ration what you’ve got.
Peek outside and see how bad the snow and visibility are. If it’s coming down hard or blowing, don’t leave the car unless you can clearly see help nearby.
Stay focused and make choices based on what you see. That helps save both your physical and mental energy.
Stay Inside Your Vehicle
Your vehicle gives you shelter from wind and snow. Leaving in whiteout conditions is risky—you could get lost real fast.
Keep the engine off most of the time. Run it for about 10 minutes every hour to save fuel while getting some heat.
Before starting the engine, check the exhaust pipe and clear away any snow so carbon monoxide doesn’t build up.
Open a window just a crack, on the side away from the wind, to let in some fresh air.
Pile on extra clothing, blankets, or even floor mats for insulation. Make sure to cover your head, hands, and feet since those lose heat fastest.
Limit movement and stay inside to avoid dangerous wind chills.
Signal for Help and Visibility
You want your vehicle to stand out, especially when visibility is bad.
Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna, mirror, or door handle. If you’ve got them, set out road flares or reflective triangles a safe distance behind your car.
Turn on your hazard lights during the day or the dome light at night to help rescuers spot you, but keep an eye on your battery.
Clear snow off the roof and windows to make your car easier to see.
These steps help passing vehicles or search teams find you faster.
Maintaining Warmth and Preventing Hypothermia
Inside a stranded vehicle, low temps can lead to hypothermia and frostbite before you know it. The best ways to keep your body heat are proper clothing, extra insulation, and safe, controlled heat sources.
Bundle Up and Layer Clothing
Wearing several layers traps warm air close to your body. Start with a moisture‑wicking base layer to keep sweat off your skin.
Add an insulating middle layer like fleece or wool, and top it with a wind‑resistant outer layer if you have one.
Cover your hands, feet, ears, and nose—they lose heat the fastest. Thermal socks, insulated gloves, and a knit hat are must-haves. A scarf or neck gaiter helps keep heat from escaping your head and neck.
Don’t wear clothing that’s too tight or it’ll cut off blood flow. If your clothes get wet from sweat or melted snow, switch to dry ones as soon as you can. Staying dry matters just as much as staying warm.
Use Blankets and Thermal Blankets
Blankets help by trapping your body heat. Wool blankets still work even if they’re a bit damp, and fleece blankets are lightweight and easy to stash in your car.
Emergency thermal blankets (space blankets) are tiny but reflect up to 90% of your body heat. Wrap them around yourself, reflective side in.
Layer a thermal blanket under or over a regular one for better insulation.
If there are multiple people, share blankets or sit close together to save heat. Keep blankets off the floor so you’re not touching cold surfaces.
Utilize Hand Warmers and Emergency Candles
Chemical hand warmers give steady heat for hours. Stick them in your gloves, boots, or pockets to keep your hands and feet warm. If you don’t have many, switch them between hands and feet.
Emergency candles can bump up the temp a bit inside a closed car. Put the candle in a stable, heatproof container and keep it away from anything flammable. Crack a window a little for ventilation so you don’t get carbon monoxide buildup.
Use these heat sources sparingly so they last. Watch for overheating or burns, especially if you’re using them near skin or under layers.
Managing Vehicle Safety and Carbon Monoxide Risks
During nasty winter storms, snow and ice can block your car’s exhaust and trap dangerous gases inside. You’ve got to use the engine safely, ventilate properly, and check things regularly to avoid carbon monoxide buildup.
Clear the Exhaust Pipe Regularly
Snow and ice pile up fast on the tailpipe, especially if the wind’s blowing. If the exhaust gets blocked, engine fumes can sneak into the cabin.
Check and clear the exhaust pipe before you start the engine, and keep checking every hour if it’s snowing hard.
Use a brush, stick, or your gloved hand to clear snow from around the tailpipe. Don’t kneel directly behind the pipe when the engine’s running.
If there’s ice around the exhaust, chip it away carefully so gases can escape. Even a little blockage can up your risk for carbon monoxide.
Run the Engine Safely
Running the engine gives you heat, but you’ve got to be careful. Carbon monoxide is sneaky—you can’t smell or see it.
Run the engine for about 10 minutes every hour to save fuel and limit exhaust. This keeps you warm without using too much gas or making too much carbon monoxide.
Keep the radiator and exhaust area clear of snow so you don’t get overheating or gas buildup. Don’t let the engine idle non-stop—it just burns fuel and ups the carbon monoxide risk without much extra warmth.
If you can, run the engine when the wind is blowing away from the back of your car. That helps push exhaust away instead of back toward you.
Ventilate the Vehicle Properly
Even when it’s freezing, you need a little airflow to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Without it, gases can build up inside.
Open a window just a crack on the side that’s away from the wind when the engine’s running. That lets in fresh air but keeps out most of the cold and snow.
Make sure ice hasn’t sealed windows or doors shut, since that can trap air inside.
If you’re using blankets or insulation, don’t block vents or airflow paths. Good ventilation and safe engine use work together to keep you warm and safe.
Essential Emergency Supplies for Winter Survival
Being stuck in a car during a blizzard can get dangerous fast if you can’t stay warm, hydrated, or visible. The right supplies help you manage the cold, keep your energy up, and call for help until things get better or someone arrives.
Emergency Kit Essentials
You should stash a winter emergency kit in your car before the cold hits. It needs to have stuff that stops hypothermia and helps you deal with problems if your car won’t budge.
Recommended items include:
- Blankets or sleeping bags (wool or thermal/Mylar)
- Extra warm clothing like hats, gloves, and socks
- Hand and foot warmers
- Small shovel for digging out tires or the exhaust
- Road flares or reflective triangles for visibility
- Multi-tool for basic repairs or quick fixes
Keep these supplies in a waterproof container to protect them from moisture. Check everything at least once a year to make sure it’s good to go.
Non-Perishable Snacks and Water
Food and water help you keep your body heat and energy up during long waits in the cold. You burn more calories trying to stay warm, so grab high-energy snacks.
Good choices include:
- Granola or protein bars
- Trail mix with nuts and dried fruit
- Peanut butter packets
- Canned goods with easy-open lids
Store water in sturdy, insulated bottles so it doesn’t freeze as quickly. If it does freeze, thaw it by tucking it inside your clothing layers near your body—just make sure it’s safe to do so.
Don’t eat snow for water unless you melt it first. Eating snow drops your body temperature.
Lighting and Communication Tools
Blizzards often mean low visibility and power outages, so you need light and ways to communicate. A flashlight with extra batteries, or a hand-crank one, gives you steady light for signaling or doing stuff in the car.
An emergency radio that gets weather alerts keeps you updated on the storm and rescue news. Portable power banks help you keep your phone charged to call for help.
For signaling, use bright LED lights, reflective gear, or glow sticks so rescuers can spot you in heavy snow or darkness. Keep these tools within easy reach from the driver’s seat.
Vehicle Preparation and Maintenance for Winter Weather
Cold, snow, and ice can mess with your car’s performance and safety real quick. Doing the right seasonal maintenance lowers your risk of breaking down and helps you control the car better on slippery roads.
Let’s look at a few simple but important steps to keep your car reliable and safe when winter hits.
Check Tires and Snow Tires
Tires are the only thing touching the road, so their condition really matters in winter. Check tread depth and swap out tires that are worn below 4/32 of an inch. Good tread helps grip snow and slush.
Snow tires (or winter tires) use softer rubber and deeper treads. These features boost traction in temps below 45°F and on icy or snowy roads.
If you get a lot of snow where you live, put on a full set of snow tires, not just two. That keeps your handling balanced.
Tire pressure drops when it’s cold. Check and adjust it weekly to the recommended PSI (it’s in your car’s manual or on the door frame). Proper inflation means better stability, braking, and fuel efficiency.
Maintain Windshield Wiper Fluid and Ice Scraper
Snowstorms can kill your visibility, so your windshield system has to be solid. Use winter-grade windshield wiper fluid since it won’t freeze and helps clear off salt and grime. Regular fluid can freeze up and block your view.
Check your wiper blades for cracks or stiffness. Swap them out before winter so they can handle heavy snow and ice. Some drivers go for winter blades with covers to stop ice from building up.
Keep an ice scraper handy inside the car. A sturdy one with a brush lets you sweep off snow before scraping ice. Clear off all windows, mirrors, and lights before you drive—it’s safer for you and everyone else.
Keep a Snow Shovel and Jumper Cables
A compact snow shovel can help if you’re stuck in a drift or need to clear space around your tires. Folding or telescoping shovels fit in the trunk but still handle packed snow.
Jumper cables are a must in cold weather since batteries lose power when it’s freezing. A weak battery might not start your car after a cold night. Keep heavy-gauge cables with long leads so you can connect to another vehicle easily.
Store these tools with your other winter gear, like traction mats or sand, so they’re ready when you need them. Having quick access can help you avoid getting stuck in dangerous weather.
Preventive Measures and Travel Planning
Getting ready before a winter trip really lowers your chances of ending up stranded somewhere dangerous. If you want to stay safe when a snowstorm’s coming, you’ll need reliable info, good judgment, and clear communication.
Monitor Weather Forecasts and Travel Plans
Check multiple weather sources before you head out. I always look at local forecasts, highway condition reports, and radar maps. That way, you can spot a winter storm or sudden changes in snowfall before you get caught off guard.
Don’t forget, road conditions can go downhill fast during a blizzard, even if the sky looks clear when you start driving. If you check updates every few hours, you’ll know when to change your route or just wait it out.
Always have a backup plan for your trip in case the main roads get shut down. Know the detours, where you might find a safe rest area, and which towns have places to stay along your route. I’d keep a printed map handy too, just in case your phone or GPS stops working.
Inform Others of Your Route
Before you hit the road, let someone you trust know your route, destination, and when you expect to arrive. If you don’t show up, they can get help faster.
Be specific when you share details, like:
- Road names or numbers you’ll use
- Planned stops for fuel or a break
- Expected travel window
If you have to change your plans because of snow or road closures, let your contact know as soon as you can. That makes it way easier for someone to find you if you get stuck in bad weather.
Keep your phone charged, and bring a backup power bank. You never know when a trip might take longer than you thought.
Avoid Unnecessary Travel During Winter Storms
When weather services put out blizzard or winter storm warnings, the safest bet is usually to just stay home. Even the best drivers deal with low visibility, icy spots, and snowdrifts that hide all kinds of surprises on the road.
If your trip isn’t urgent, it’s a good idea to wait it out until things calm down a bit. Fewer cars out there let snowplow crews and emergency responders do their jobs without extra hassle.
If you absolutely have to go out during a storm, try to stick to daylight hours when you can see better. Pick main highways instead of rural or unplowed roads, since crews clear and treat those more often during snowstorms.