Much of the southern US is bracing for heavy snow and freezing temperatures this week. Weather alerts and watches They span the entire region, including North Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Georgia, where several inches of snow could fall. The second major winter storm of 2025 is expected to bring snow and freezing rain to places that don’t often experience winter.

This latest winter blast comes after a storm swept across much of the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic earlier this week and weakened in some places more snow than the residents had seen Years. While some celebrated The storm also disrupted travel, caused power outages and caused severe damage Driven for those who stand in his way.

Winter storms are dangerous. And preparing for it can be intimidating, especially for communities that aren’t used to it.

Brandon Thorne, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, Louisiana, said his office is forecasting several inches of snow for parts of Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. It’s the type of winter storm that could come once a year, Thorne said. But people are often unprepared and many communities don’t have equipment like snow plows to clear roads.

“If the road is icy, the facility will be shut down for several days,” he said. “It’s becoming more and more dangerous because we’re just not designed for something like this.”

But farther north, in places like New Hampshire, where it snows dozens of inches each year, dealing with squalls and slippery sidewalks is a way of life.

“It’s just common sense for us up here,” said Shane Beattie, the emergency management director for the city of Lancaster, New Hampshire. A fond childhood memory was a historic blizzard in 1978 that dropped more than a foot of snow and shut down the school.

But to enjoy the snow, you have to play it safe. We asked people in New Hampshire for advice on how to prepare for winter storms, starting with staying warm.

Stay warm

“It’s all about layers,” Beattie said.

His favorite are wool socks. Hats and mittens are also important, he said. Good footwear, such as boots with good soles, is also important for staying safe when walking outdoors in snow and ice. For those who want more stability, spikes or treads that attach to the bottom of the shoes can be a good option.

Wearing multiple layers of loose-fitting clothing will keep you warmer than wearing a thick coat. And wearing a scarf over your mouth can help protect your lungs from cold air.

Mike Carmon has spent more than a decade dealing with extreme winter weather while working at the Mount Washington Observatory at the summit of Mount Washington, which claims to have this The worst weather in the world. Carmon and his team are responsible for recording information about this weather, and that means experiencing it for themselves.

It is common for temperatures at the observatory to be in the single digits for most of the winter, with hurricane-force winds expected every other day. About 280 inches of snow, hail and ice fall at the mountain’s summit each year.

When it comes to taking a trip outside to take a look at weather gear, Carmon said his layering system consists of three parts: a base layer next to the skin, an insulating fleece layer, and a waterproof outer layer that protects against snow, rain, etc. can protect wind.

“It kind of gives you the protection that you need from the different hazards that you face in the cold and the snow,” he said. “If you get too warm, you can take one off.”

Carmon also makes sure that no bare skin is visible to protect him from wind and freezing temperatures. Sometimes weather watchers check each other to make sure they are completely covered before going outside.

“Being exposed to the elements for even 10 or 15 minutes can cause frostbite or frostbite,” he said.

Learn how to recognize and treat frostbite and hypothermia here guide from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Stay safe at home

“During a storm, the safest place to be is at home,” said Vanessa Palange, community outreach coordinator for the New Hampshire Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Palange has weathered a series of winter storms in New Hampshire and Maine. She was once stuck without power for two weeks after an ice storm in 1998. She had heat from a wood stove but no way to cook or shower.

“You learn what you can live through,” she said. “Because I went through it, I feel like I definitely have opportunities to navigate it.”

Palange said she went to other people’s homes to use their showers and relied on water from a backyard pond to flush toilets.

To be prepared for a possible power outage, it’s good to have flashlights and spare batteries on hand. That’s safer than using candles, which can start fires, Palange said.

Stock up on extra blankets, warm clothing, water, and food – especially items that are non-perishable and don’t need to be heated. If you buy cans, make sure you have a manual can opener. It’s good to have enough food on hand to last about three days, Palange said.

It’s also worth having a shovel with you. Road salt is a staple in many New England households, and there is plenty of it pet friendly can help keep dogs’ paws happy.

If you’re losing heat at home, you can see if there are warming centers open in your community. Calling 2-1-1 is free and can connect you to services across most of the country. Also check on your neighbors and friends.

“If you don’t have power and it’s cold, you can block off rooms in your house that you’re not using by hanging blankets,” Palange said.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, space heaters are a leading cause of death in home fires, and space heaters are particularly dangerous. It is not sure use an oven as a heating source.

If you use a generator, make sure this is the case Only operate it outdoors and away from doors, windows and ventilation openings. This protects against carbon monoxide poisoning.

For those who cannot find a safe place to spend the night in the house, the National Health Care for the Homeless Council has tips on how to stay safe if you have to spend time outdoors in inclement weather.

If possible, avoid driving during a winter storm

“If you’re not used to driving in the snow, don’t do it,” said James Langdon, who manages roads and snow removal for Jackson, NH. “If you get stranded, you become a hazard to the road.”

It doesn’t take much snow to make a road slippery, he said, and ice can be even more dangerous. Drivers in states with a lot of snow often have winter tires or snow chains that provide additional traction. Without these, driving can be particularly dangerous.

If you must drive, stay on main roads and try to drive in daylight. Remember that the roads will be slippery. It will take longer to slow down and stop. That’s why it’s good to leave extra space between you and other vehicles.

“Take it slow and steady,” Langdon said. “You’re not going to beat Mother Nature.”

If there’s a snow squall – a period of time when snow is blowing and it’s hard to see – officials say it’s best to stop and wait for the squall to pass.

If you’re stuck in your car during a snowstorm, turn on your hazard lights. New Hampshire officials advise Place an emergency flag on your window or antenna and stay there unless you see a building where you can take shelter. To protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning, clear snow from your exhaust pipe and run the engine just long enough to keep the car warm, about 10 minutes per hour.

It’s good to have an emergency kit in your car. The could include a small snow shovel, jumper cables, a flashlight, blankets and extra clothing, cell phone chargers, water, food, a tow rope, a spare tire, and a first aid kit. Also fill up your gas tank.

A bag of sand or cat litter is also helpful as it can weigh down the vehicle and make driving in the snow easier. Additionally, if you get stuck, you can sprinkle it on the ground to improve traction.

Several states, including New Hampshire, have laws requiring drivers to clear snow from their cars before hitting the road. A long ice scraper for clearing cars is wonderful – but in a pinch, a clean broom to remove loose ice particles and an old gift card to remove ice also work.

Pro tip: Heat up the car while clearing snow so the ice will melt before you have to scrape.

If it’s safe, have fun

It’s a good idea to have some entertainment ready when you’re stuck indoors. Cards, books or board games can help keep children (and adults!) from getting cabin fever.

Beattie, the emergency management director from Lancaster, NH, said his favorite activity on a snowy day is sledding. If you don’t have a sled, a piece of cardboard can work well.

But there are also slower ways to enjoy the winter weather, he said.

“Even if you’re just walking in the snow. It’s quiet, you know. The snow drowns out the hustle and bustle,” he said.