Be Prepared for Winter Travel
After delaying our Christmas Eve trip to Salina for a day due to snowy weather, we were surprised to drive into blizzard conditions when we headed east on Christmas Day. We had done everything right– listened to the weather forecast, checked road conditions online, checked with family at our destination– and despite our preparations for what looked like a routine trip, we left sunny skies in Garden City and drove into blowing snow at Great Bend for the remainder of our trip.
Our experience is a perfect example of the uncertain weather and travel conditions on the Great Plains this time of year. Don’t leave home without being prepared for winter weather emergencies!
Winter Car Safety Kit
Make sure your car is well-stocked before winter trips. Pack these items:
- Blanket or sleeping bag (more than one if multiple passengers)
- Gloves
- Ice scraper
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Small shovel
- Bag of sand or salt
- Tow rope
- Jumper cables
- Bright signal flag or cloth
- Cell phone and car charger
- Empty tin can with a small candle (for temporary light and heat); don’t forget the matches, too!
- Non-perishable snacks for all passengers
- Fresh water for all passengers
Has anybody had the unlucky experience of being stranded in a winter storm? Leave a comment to tell about your experience and the items you had (or wish you’d had) to help survive the ordeal. Let’s learn from each other!
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