The 2025 Winter season has proven weather forecasters’ early warnings to be accurate. Severe cold with more snow and ice storms versus recent years. Taking precautions to heart this season, many homeowners successfully prepared to stave off severe damage and avoid expensive repairs.
Winter storm terms – what to know
Know the different meanings of Winter Storm Watch, Winter Weather Advisory and Winter Storm Warning. A Winter Storm Watch announces winter snow is possible within 12 to 48 hours; keep alert. This Watch will be upgraded to a Winter Weather Advisory when wind gusts of 35 mph – and visibility of a quarter mile or less for three or more hours – are imminent within the next 12 hours and minor inconvenience is to be expected. A Winter Storm Warning announces the storm is expected to be dangerous and to take action to protect life and property. Not being fully prepared after first hearing of a Winter Storm Watch may likely leave you too little time to properly react. Don’t wait to prepare until conditions elevate to a Winter Storm Advisory.
Have a winter tool kit nearby
John Gugliotta, President, Paul Davis of Boston South, Boston Metro West, and Rhode Island, MA has many years of experience successfully coping with very trying weather conditions. He provides sound advice to really help homeowners handle storms more safely and hopefully, more comfortably. Gugliotta offers a dozen necessary items to have on-hand once a Winter Storm Watch is announced.
- A working flashlight or two and extra batteries
- A fully charged cell phone
- A battery-powered radio or TV – listen periodically
- Sufficient nonperishable food and a water supply for two-three days/one gallon, per person, per day is his recommendation
- Your needed medicines for seven days
- A well-equipped first aid kit
- An emergency heat source should electricity fail
- Warm clothes that you can layer, plus gloves and boots
- Extra blankets for everyone
- A working fire extinguisher(s)
- Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, plus replacement batteries
- Snow shovels or a snow blower with fuel supply
After the storm strikes be extra careful
Advise family, friends and neighbors if an extended cold wave is on hand. Severe cold brings drastic results to anyone who ventures outside to clear driveways and sidewalks, and remove heavy snow accumulations from shrubs. Don’t overdo snow shoveling. Take your time when clearing after the snow. Take breaks every half hour and warm up. Rushing to get all the driveway and walkways cleared can be very dangerous for those not in tip-top shape. Heavy snow accumulations can weaken roofs, decks and outbuildings. Look for signs of damage and don’t put off needed repairs.
Warm up at the first signs over exertion or frostbite
Drink warm beverages. Exercise body muscles to generate internal heat. Get to a heat source. Remove any wet clothing and get quickly into dry clothes. Also, cover your head to reduce loss of body heat. Frostbite is deadly serious since exposed skin – most often nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes – lose blood circulation to your body’s core. These body parts require more heat if your skin begins to turn white or grayish-yellow while feeling numb and waxy. Getting blood circulation moving again is often quite painful but very necessary. Untreated frostbite can result in amputation. Gradual heat is best. Use warm, but not hot, water – between 104° and 108°F or 40° and 42° C. Avoid placing affected areas too near a fire or other high heat source, as they may be so numb they might burn before you realize it. If warm water is unavailable, place fingers under your armpit or another warm body area.
As temperatures warm.
Gugliotta’s experience has shown that “windows and doors often suffer the effects of cold. Check to see if yours were negatively affected” he advises. “If you see damage to your home that you believe is weather driven, call your insurer promptly to report any damage, take photos and request an adjuster visit by your insurer. As a homeowner your responsibility is to do your best to protect against additional damage. It’s wise to call a local Paul Davis Restoration company to come to your home to mitigate against further damage. Paul Davis can also assist and advise you with insurance claims and needed repairs.” Call 888-473-7669. “We’re able to respond 24/7 to help in your time of need.”
