The 2026–2027 winter outlook is a reminder that preparation starts before the storm.
Winter is coming.
For some parts of the country, that means snow and ice. For others, it could mean freezing temperatures, dangerous winds, heavy rain, flooding, or even severe winter storms.
According to the 2026–2027 winter outlook from the Farmers’ Almanac, the coming winter could bring a mix of cold temperatures, snow, storms, and rapidly changing conditions across different parts of the United States.
But here's the important part:
A winter forecast isn't a guarantee of what will happen in your backyard.
Long-range forecasts can change, and no forecast can tell us exactly when or where the next major storm will occur.
What it can do is give us a reason to start preparing.
And that's what preparedness is really about.
You don't prepare because you know something bad is going to happen. You prepare because you don't know when something will happen.
Winter Doesn't Affect Everyone the Same Way
One of the biggest mistakes we can make when talking about winter preparedness is assuming that every part of the country faces the same risks.
A winter storm in Minnesota isn't the same as a winter storm in Georgia.
A hurricane-related winter system along the East Coast isn't the same as an ice storm in the South.
And a cold snap in Texas can create very different problems than a blizzard in Colorado.
That's why your preparedness plan should start with one simple question:
What are the winter hazards most likely to affect where I live?
Depending on where you live, those hazards could include:
- Heavy snow
- Blizzard conditions
- Freezing rain
- Ice storms
- Sleet
- Extreme cold
- Dangerous wind
- Power outages
- Flooding
- Heavy rain
- Travel disruptions
- Frozen pipes
- Loss of heating
- Supply disruptions
You don't need to prepare for every possible disaster.
You need to prepare for the problems that are most likely to affect your household—and have a plan for the problems that would have the biggest consequences.
The Biggest Winter Threat May Not Be Snow
When people hear "winter storm," they usually picture snow.
But snow isn't necessarily the biggest problem.
A winter weather event can create several problems simultaneously.
You could lose:
Power.
Heat.
Internet.
Cellular service.
Access to roads.
Access to stores.
Water.
Communication.
And sometimes the biggest problem isn't the storm itself.
It's what happens after the storm.
A downed tree can take out a power line.
An ice storm can prevent utility crews from safely reaching damaged equipment.
A prolonged cold snap can cause pipes to freeze.
A major storm can make roads dangerous or impassable.
That's why a good preparedness plan isn't simply about having food in the pantry.
It's about being able to operate when normal services aren't available.
Start With 72 Hours
If you haven't prepared for winter yet, don't worry about building the ultimate emergency setup.
Start with 72 hours.
Ask yourself:
If something happened tonight and my household couldn't leave the house for three days, could we stay safe, warm, hydrated, fed, informed, and connected?
If the answer is yes, you're already ahead of many households.
If the answer is no—or you're not sure—then you have a starting point.
1. Prepare for a Power Outage
Power outages are one of the most common problems associated with major winter weather.
And you don't necessarily need a massive generator to prepare for one.
Start by identifying your critical electrical loads.
For many households, that could include:
- Refrigerator
- Freezer
- Heating equipment
- Internet equipment
- Security system
- Medical equipment
- Phone chargers
- A few lights
- Television or radio
- Essential small appliances
Once you know what you need to keep running, you can determine how much backup power you actually require.
Your options might include:
- Portable power stations
- Larger battery systems
- Generators
- Solar panels
- Vehicle-based power
- A combination of several systems
The important thing is having a plan before the power goes out.
And remember:
Generators and fuel-burning appliances must be operated according to the manufacturer's instructions and never used inside a home, garage, or other enclosed space. Carbon monoxide can be deadly.
2. Have a Plan for Staying Warm
If you're in a cold-weather region, losing heat during a winter outage can become a serious problem.
Your primary heating system shouldn't necessarily be your only plan.
Consider keeping:
- Warm clothing
- Heavy blankets
- Sleeping bags
- Hats
- Gloves
- Wool or insulated socks
- Extra bedding
- Weather stripping
- Door draft blockers
If you use an alternative heating source, make sure it is specifically designed for the environment where you intend to use it and follow all safety instructions.
Carbon monoxide detectors should also be installed and maintained according to manufacturer recommendations.
3. Protect Your Water
Water is easy to overlook during winter preparation.
Most people think about having enough drinking water.
That's important—but your plumbing deserves attention too.
Freezing temperatures can cause pipes to freeze and potentially burst.
Before severe cold arrives:
- Know where your main water shutoff is.
- Insulate vulnerable pipes where appropriate.
- Address drafts around exposed plumbing.
- Know which pipes are located in unheated areas.
- Keep emergency drinking water available.
A few minutes spent learning where your water shutoff is located could save you significant damage later.
4. Build a Winter Pantry
You don't need to buy six months of food.
Start with enough food to get through several days without needing to make a trip to the store.
Choose foods your household actually eats.
For example:
- Canned meat
- Soup
- Beans
- Rice
- Pasta
- Peanut butter
- Crackers
- Oatmeal
- Canned vegetables
- Shelf-stable milk
- Snacks
- Coffee
- Bottled water
Don't forget about how you're going to prepare the food.
If the power is out, your normal electric stove may not work.
Have a safe alternative available if appropriate for your household—and understand exactly where and how that equipment can be safely used.
5. Prepare Your Vehicle
Winter preparedness doesn't stop at your front door.
A winter storm can turn a normal trip into a dangerous situation surprisingly quickly.
Keep your vehicle maintained and consider carrying an emergency kit containing items such as:
- Blanket
- Warm clothing
- Gloves
- Flashlight
- Spare batteries
- Phone power bank
- Charging cable
- Water
- Shelf-stable snacks
- First-aid supplies
- Jumper cables
- Tire inflator
- Ice scraper
- Emergency warning devices
- Basic tools
Before major winter weather arrives, check:
Tires
Battery
Fluids
Wipers
Lights
Heat
And if you're traveling during severe winter weather, check road conditions and weather forecasts before leaving.
Sometimes the safest preparedness decision is simply not making the trip.
6. Don't Forget Communication
When something goes wrong, information becomes extremely important.
Your phone may be your primary source of information, but don't make it your only source.
Consider having:
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Portable power banks
- Backup charging cables
- Flashlights
- Extra batteries
- Emergency contact information written down
- Multiple ways to receive weather alerts
Make sure everyone in your household knows where these items are located.
An emergency kit that nobody can find isn't much of an emergency kit.
7. Prepare for the Possibility of Being Stuck at Home
One of the simplest preparedness strategies is to assume that you may not be able to go anywhere for several days.
That means having enough basic supplies to stay home comfortably.
Think about:
Food
Water
Medicine
Pet supplies
Baby supplies
Personal hygiene
Lighting
Power
Heating
Communication
Entertainment
That last one might sound unimportant.
It isn't.
A power outage can become stressful quickly, especially when everyone is sitting around with nothing to do.
Board games, books, cards, puzzles, downloaded movies, and other offline entertainment can make a long outage considerably easier.
Preparedness isn't just about survival.
It's about maintaining as much normalcy as possible when normal systems aren't available.
8. Know Your Local Risks
This may be the most important part of the entire article.
Don't simply prepare based on what you see on television.
Prepare based on where you live.
Northern states
Pay particular attention to:
- Heavy snow
- Blizzard conditions
- Extreme cold
- Frozen pipes
- Extended power outages
- Travel disruptions
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Consider:
- Snow
- Ice
- Freezing rain
- Coastal storms
- Power outages
- Flooding
Midwest
Prepare for:
- Heavy snow
- Ice
- Extreme cold
- Strong winds
- Blizzard conditions
- Long-duration outages
Southern states
Winter preparation may look very different.
Potential concerns include:
- Sudden freezing temperatures
- Ice
- Freezing rain
- Power outages
- Frozen pipes
- Roads that aren't equipped for prolonged winter conditions
Mountain and Western states
Consider:
- Heavy snow
- Avalanches in appropriate areas
- Extreme cold
- High winds
- Mountain road closures
- Extended isolation
Pacific Northwest and West Coast
Winter preparation can include:
- Heavy rain
- Flooding
- Snow at higher elevations
- Windstorms
- Landslides
- Power outages
The point isn't to predict exactly what your area will experience.
It's to understand what could happen and prepare accordingly.
Don't Wait for the First Storm
One of the worst times to start preparing is when everyone else is doing it.
When a major storm is approaching, stores can run out of:
- Batteries
- Flashlights
- Generators
- Space heaters
- Bottled water
- Bread
- Milk
- Fuel
- Ice
- Emergency supplies
Prices can also increase as demand rises.
Instead, build your supplies gradually.
Buy a little when you can.
Test your equipment.
Rotate your food and water.
Charge your batteries.
Maintain your vehicle.
Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Know where your emergency shutoffs are.
And make sure everyone in your household knows the plan.
The Prepared State Winter Challenge
Before the first major winter weather event of the season, complete these five things:
☐ Build or check your 72-hour emergency supplies
☐ Test your backup lighting and power
☐ Inspect your heating system and carbon monoxide detectors
☐ Prepare your vehicle
☐ Create a household power-outage plan
Then ask yourself one question:
If the power went out tonight and didn't return for three days, what would I wish I had prepared?
Whatever your answer is...
Start there.
Preparedness Isn't About Fear
It's easy to look at a winter forecast and start worrying about what might happen.
That's not the goal.
The goal is to turn uncertainty into preparation.
We don't know exactly how the 2026–2027 winter will unfold.
We don't know which communities will receive the most snow.
We don't know where the next major ice storm will develop.
We don't know when the next significant power outage will occur.
But we do know that winter weather can disrupt transportation, electricity, heating, communications, and access to supplies.
And we know that households that prepare ahead of time have more options when something goes wrong.
That's what The Prepared State is about.
Not fear.
Not panic.
Not buying everything in sight.
Preparation.
Because you don't prepare because you know something is coming.
You prepare because you're ready for whatever comes.
Stay Prepared. Stay Ready.
The Prepared State.