How to Prepare for Winter Storm

In order to prepare for winter storms, you must stay informed, secure your home, and have emergency supplies ready. 

As of January 21, 2026, the National Weather Service’s Baltimore/Washington forecast office reveals that a significant winter storm is likely to impact the D.C. and Mid-Atlantic region late Saturday into Sunday. Current forecasts point to increasing confidence in wintry precipitation and accumulating snow, supported by an Arctic air mass settling over the area. While exact snowfall totals and timing may still shift as the system evolves, NWS discussions highlight the potential for disruptive winter conditions and prolonged cold, making early preparation especially important for homes, travel, and essential power needs.

One of the best ways to maintain power during these storms and prepare yourself is with a Jackery Solar Generator. These essential home backup solutions provide a reliable energy source when electricity is out, keeping essential devices, lights, and even small appliances running. Jackery Solar Generators are an ideal solution for emergency preparedness during severe winter weather. These are portable enough for easy transportation from one place to another. In this article, you will understand how to prepare for winter storms.

Takeaways 

• Being prepared for winter storms helps protect your family, home, and essential resources during heavy rain, snow, and flooding.
• You should start preparing for winter storms as soon as storms are forecasted to ensure you have enough time to secure your home and gather supplies.
• You should follow preparedness steps like insulating pipes, stocking emergency supplies, and avoiding travel during hazardous conditions during winter storms.
• Jackery Solar Generators provide reliable power during outages, keeping lights, devices, and small appliances running safely.

News Related to the Winter Storm in 2026

Multiple credible sources are tracking a major winter storm system expected to affect large parts of the United States, including the D.C. and Mid-Atlantic region, around January 24–25, 2026. According to local forecasts and official National Weather Service products, this system could bring accumulating snow and very cold conditions late Saturday into Sunday, with timing, track, and snowfall amounts still subject to change as the storm evolves.

The snow may begin late Saturday night (January 24, 2026) and continue through Sunday (January 25, 2026), with forecast models suggesting anywhere from a few inches to a foot or more in the D.C. area. Temperatures are expected to be cold enough for snow to stick, making travel difficult. National outlets like The Washington Post report that forecasters are watching this system closely, with snow and record-cold temperatures possible across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast as Arctic air arrives midweek and lingers.

According to the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center, a strong Arctic air mass is expected to impact much of the central and eastern US in late January, bringing dangerously cold temperatures and expanding winter weather risks. Snow is forecast across parts of the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast, with lake-effect snow likely in areas downwind of the Great Lakes. As the cold air spreads south and east, temperatures could fall 15–25 degrees below normal, with freeze warnings extending into parts of Georgia and Northern Florida. With time, snow chances will increase across the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast.

Everyone in affected regions is advised to stay up to date with the latest NWS products and local forecasts as the storm approaches, because even relatively small shifts in the storm’s path or temperature profile can significantly change impacts.

Why Does Winter Storm Preparedness Matters?

Winter storm preparedness matters because it keeps you and your family safe, protects your home from damage, and ensures you have power, food, and essential supplies during outages or hazardous conditions.

You may feel like your home and vehicle are ready for anything, but many people underestimate just how severe winter weather can be. Every year, hundreds of Americans are killed on wintry roads -- many due to prolonged exposure to the cold.

Additionally, when winter weather is severe enough, an entire region may be immobilized. This creates a situation in which it becomes impossible to drive your car to the grocery store or to check on loved ones.

And emergency rescue crews may not be able to get to your home right away if you lose power, run out of resources, or have some other emergency that requires immediate attention.

That’s why ice storm preparedness is so important. You just don’t know what can happen during a winter storm. And you need to be ready to solve any situation that you might encounter without emergency assistance in case the roads can’t be traveled on.

When It’s Time to Prepare for a Winter Storm?

Ideally, you should keep winter storm safety in mind throughout the entirety of the snow season. But it’s natural to let your guard down from time to time. So another strategy is to pay close attention to the updates put out by your local weather authority.

The Red Cross defines the four types of storm warnings that you might see. These are presented in order of escalating severity.

1. Winter Storm Outlook -- a winter storm is possible in the next week
2. Winter Weather Advisory -- severe winter weather is expected
3. Winter Storm Watch -- Winter weather is coming in the next 2-3 days
4. Winter Storm Warning -- Winter weather is arriving imminently. People should begin taking precautions immediately. 

Understanding these four types of winter warnings can help you figure out how seriously you should be taking your preparations. Keep in mind, if you wait until the last minute to prepare, you could run out of time.

If you want to stay as safe as possible, you should maintain your preparations throughout the season. Don’t wait until you get a warning because you might not have enough time to take care of everything on your list.

How to Prepare for an Ice Storm at Home?

Preparing for an ice storm at home involves gathering emergency supplies, winterizing the home by insulating and sealing drafts, and having a reliable power station for powering appliances and staying warm if the electricity grid is down.

When you think about how to prepare for a winter storm, it’s about getting your home ready for the harshest possible conditions. There are a number of things that you can do to accomplish that. We’ll cover the most important ones in this section.

Stock up on food and water

When a winter storm arrives, the last thing that you want to have to do is leave your home because you’ve run out of food and water. Grocery stores may not be open anyway and you put yourself at a higher risk of being injured by going out on the roads.

That’s why one of the best things that you can do to prepare for a winter storm is stocking up on food and water. Make sure to grab a lot of non-perishable items just in case your power goes out. Here’s a list to get you started:

• Canned soup
• Peanut butter
• Hot chocolate and coffee
• Dried fruits and nuts
• Jerky
• Protein bars
• Crackers
• Canned tuna, chicken, and salmon
• Canned vegetables
• Pet food

Of course, you’ll also want to make sure to have plenty of bottled water on hand, as pipes can freeze when temperatures outside get low. Aim to have at least 1 gallon per person per day.

Fill your prescriptions early

People need their prescriptions to stay healthy. But in a winter storm, you likely won’t be able to make it out to the pharmacy.

That’s why it’s also important to make sure that you’ve got enough of your prescriptions left to make it through a winter storm before one arrives. Aim to go to the pharmacy as soon as you hear that a winter storm might be coming so that you don’t run out of time to do this.

Put together a winter emergency kit

It’s also a good idea to build a winter emergency kit so that you’re ready to respond to all of the different situations that can occur during a storm. A good kit should contain at least the following items:

• First aid items like bandaids and painkillers
• Matches
• Candles
• Blankets and sleeping bags
• Batteries
• A hand-crank radio (to listen for weather updates if the power goes out)
• Anything your pet might need to stay safe

Prepare to lose power

It’s an unfortunate reality that power goes out often during winter storms. When that happens, you want to make sure that you have a backup source of power that you can rely on.

Jackery Portable Power Stations are compact and powerful home battery backup solutions that you can run safely indoors to power appliances. Unlike gas generators, these solar generators do not emit any toxic fumes or noise.

You can use the solar generators to run appliances like mini coolers, electric grills, coffee makers, and even TVs. With a Jackery Portable Power Station, your family will still be able to power necessary appliances, such as heaters, refrigerators, etc.

Make sure your family is prepared

It’s also a good idea to check in with your extended family to make sure that they’re ready for winter weather. This is especially important if you have elderly family members who live in the area.

It could be a good idea to have your older family members come and stay with you during a winter storm. That way, you don’t have to worry about something happening to them and will be available to help them in the event that they need it.

If your family members don’t want to stay with you during the storm, make sure that you have a way to communicate with them throughout it. Consider making a plan to connect at set intervals so that you’ll know if something happens.

Protect your water pipes

When temperatures reach about 20 degrees Fahrenheit outside, your home’s water pipes can freeze. They may even burst, which can cause costly damage and leave your family without access to running water.

But you can do a lot to prevent this from happening by letting cold water drip from the faucets throughout the storm. This decreases the likelihood of them freezing over.

Seal your windows and doors

Another aspect of winter storm preparation is making sure that your windows and doors are sealed. When these are left unsealed, they allow the cold weather to make it into your home, which can really bring down your indoor temperatures.

You can seal your windows and doors with an insulation kit. These are pretty easy to find at local hardware stores and online at retailers like Amazon.

Have an evacuation plan ready

Even the best-laid plans may not always be enough to keep you safe in your home during severe winter weather. That’s why it’s also a smart move to make sure that you have an evacuation plan in place in the event that you need one.

The most important aspect of this is knowing where your nearest winter weather evacuation center is. You’ll also need to make sure that your car is prepared to get you there. More information on how to do that is available in the next section.

How to Prepare for a Winter Storm on the Road?

Getting your car ready for a winter storm is a two-step process. First, you need to make sure that the vehicle itself is ready to transport you in harsh weather. You can do that by:

• Making sure your tires have enough tread and air pressure in them
• Changing your oil and antifreeze
• Inspecting your battery and replacing it if needed
• Making sure your heater is ready to work

On top of that, you’ll also want to make sure that you have supplies in your car to keep your family safe in the event of a breakdown. Your kit should include blankets, sleeping bags, flares, a flashlight, and anything else that you think you might need if your car breaks down.

Following these tips will help you prepare for a freeze or winter storm, ensuring you and your family stay warm and comfortable. 

Jackery Solar Generators for Winter Storms 

The winter storm in Florida threatens to shut down travel for days and cut power for an extended period in many parts of the region. That's where it becomes essential to invest in a reliable and powerful home battery backup that can keep essential appliances powered during extended power outages and blackouts. Jackery is a renowned brand that manufactures high-quality solar generators, solar panels, and portable power stations. The Jackery Solar Generators are designed to be portable, so you can easily move them anywhere and keep essential devices powered. Below, we will reveal two popular Jackery Solar Generators that can act as a winter emergency preparedness essential: 

Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus 

The Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is a powerful and essential home backup solution that can power almost all household appliances during outages caused by freezing rain and snow. Whether you want to power a portable heater to keep the space comfortable or a kettle to keep drinks warm,  the large battery capacity of the solar generator ensures you have enough power. Despite the large battery capacity, the double wheels and a pull rod make it easy for the solar generator to move from one room to another. It also supports add-on battery packs to extend the capacity from 5kWh to 60kWh to stay comfortable during extended power outages. 

Appliances Running Time 

• Portable Heater (500W) = 7.8H 
• Electric Blanket (100W) = 28.6H 
• CPAP Machine (40W) = 47.6H 
• Kettle (800W) = 5.0H
• Refrigerator (400W) = 9.5H

Kindly note that the running time is just for your reference and may vary from the actual values. 

Who Should Buy This 

If you need a powerful home battery backup for essential appliances, such as heaters, refrigerators, etc., you can consider going ahead with the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus.

Customer Review

This is awesome. I am able to power my entire house for up to 15 hours. Great for power outages.

— Ivan Vila Caballero.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh) 

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh) is another solar-powered generator that acts as a reliable power backup during outages. The powerful solar generator can power most household appliances, such as electric blankets, portable heaters, water heaters, etc. It combines a portable power station, an add-on battery pack, and solar panels that collectively ensure you can safely navigate short and long-term power outages. The portable power station features a pull rod and double wheels that ensure easy movement from one place to another, offering reliable power wherever you move. 

Appliances Running Time 

• Portable Heater (500W) = 6.6H 
• Electric Blanket (100W) = 28.4H 
• CPAP Machine (40W) = 56.0H 
• Kettle (800W) = 4.2H
• Refrigerator (400W) = 8.2H

Who Should Buy This 

If you need a home battery backup that can keep essential appliances powered, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh) is a good choice. You can also keep the add-on battery pack charged and stored for emergencies.

Customer Review 

It's only been a short time since purchasing my Explorer 2000 plus kit, but in the recent snow storms, my stress level stayed very low knowing I had it fully charged as a backup to power my oxygen concentrator in the event of an outage.

— Dennis Rose.

Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus is another essential home backup solution that can power your essentials for weeks. It features a luggage-style design with a telescoping handle and wheels, making it easy to transport from the bedroom to the kitchen and even the outdoor garden. It does not emit any noise, making the solar generator ideal for indoor use. Expanding the battery capacity up to 21kWh with the add-on battery packs allows you to power your refrigerator for up to 14 days. 

Appliances Running Time 

• Portable Heater (500W) = 5.8H 
• Electric Blanket (100W) = 25.0H 
• CPAP Machine (40W) = 49.1H 
• Kettle (800W) = 3.7H
• Refrigerator (400W) = 7.2H

Who Should Buy This 

If you are looking for an essential home backup solution that can power a refrigerator for up to 14 days or other appliances, such as portable heaters, water heaters, and lights, you can consider going ahead with the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus.

Customer Review 

I really like its functionality, very easy to move around if need be. Tremendous amount of power. It powers what I need to have powered in a blackout.

— Brooke Kruger.

Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000

During harsh winter storms, when ice buildup and heavy winds routinely knock out neighborhood power lines, the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000 steps in as a reliable home battery backup for the essentials that keep your home safe and livable. It can keep space heaters running in a bedroom, power electric blankets for warmth, run your modem and router so you stay connected during long outages, and keep phones charged for emergency communication. You can keep lights on in important rooms, run a small induction cooktop for quick meals, or keep medical devices operating without disruption. 

Appliances Running Time 

• Portable Heater (500W) = 5.0H 
• Electric Blanket (100W) = 21.4H 
• CPAP Machine (40W) = 42.1H 
• Kettle (800W) = 3.2H
• Refrigerator (400W) = 6.2H

Who Should Buy This 

If you live in an area that faces recurring winter outages and you want a dependable, quiet home battery backup, you can consider investing in the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000.

Customer Review 

This generator is awesome. I tried plugging different appliances in, and it worked great. I know now that when that emergency hits, this solar generator is going to be the backup electricity that we need. Very simple to use.

— Randy Kehn.

Note: Customers can expect a fast delivery on Jackery products.

Prepare for Winter Storms with Jackery

With the National Weather Service highlighting the potential for a significant winter storm across the D.C. area on Saturday, January 24, through Sunday, January 25, 2026, preparing ahead becomes critical. Winter storms during this period can damage power lines, slow restoration efforts, and lead to extended outages when heating, lighting, and communication are essential.

One of the most important parts of preparing for a winter storm is making sure that you have a reliable backup source of power for your home. Jackery solves this with its portable power stations. The Jackery Portable Power Stations are rechargeable, powerful, and safe enough to use indoors during a winter storm. With a portable power station from Jackery, you can be ready for whatever the winter throws at you.