Minnesotans pride themselves on toughing out some of the coldest, windiest, and snowiest winters in the country. Subzero temperatures and three-foot piles of snow are no match for us.

We’re experts at waking up early to start and scrape ice off of our cars, shoveling our driveways at record speed, and bundling up in all the right layers to stay warm.

Winter isn’t over yet, so here are a few tips to help you prepare for all possibilities during a Minnesota snowstorm.

How to Prepare for a Snowstorm: Your 7-Step Checklist

Surviving a Minnesota snowstorm doesn’t have to be scary. As the saying goes, you’re better off safe than sorry, so be sure to take the proper measures before snow starts rapidly falling.

Use this checklist to get ready for a snowstorm, and to recover once the storm has passed.

1. Check the Latest Weather Report

Minnesota weather is finicky, to say the least. One day, the temperature could be 32 degrees, and the next it may be 20 degrees below zero. Before you rush out the door in your usual winter get-up, be sure to check the latest weather report online, on TV, or using a favorite weather app to prepare for whatever’s coming that day.

Will it snow during your evening commute? Are temperatures expected to reach below zero, prompting you to spend a little more time warming up your car before you hit the road? When it comes to preparing for a Minnesota snowstorm, be ready for all possibilities, and learn to expect the unexpected. As we all know, Mother Nature has a mind of her own.

2. Inspect Your Furnace and Insulation

The last thing you want in the midst of a Minnesota snowstorm is for your furnace to quit, or for poor insulation to prevent your home from staying toasty warm. Before the storm sets in, inspect your furnace and insulation to ensure both continue operating without fail during harsh winds and heavy snow. Here are a few ways to prepare your furnace for a winter storm:

• Replace your furnace air filter. Old air filters can block air flow and cause your furnace to cycle—A.K.A. turn off and on too frequently. This makes your home’s temperature harder to regulate, which isn’t something you want in the midst of a snowstorm, so be sure to replace your furnace air filter before a heavy snowfall sets in.
• Seal air leaks and add insulation. Sealing air leaks and adding insulation helps ensure the heat circulating throughout your house stays in your house. Plus, you can save another 10% on energy bills, according to Energy Star.

• Inspect and clean heating ducts. Damaged and dirty air ducts can drive up heating bills, degrade air quality, and put additional stress on your furnace or HVAC system. Inspect them, or hire a furnace maintenance professional to inspect them for you, in order to identify any punctures, dents, disconnected parts, dust, mold, or mildew.

3. Stock Up on Supplies

Minnesotans are tough, but sometimes winter gets the best of us. In extreme situations, you may not have a choice but to stay indoors during a snowstorm. It’s possible you may need to stay home for several days at a time — and sometimes, without power.

If this is the case, be sure to have the right items on hand to keep you and your family safe, warm, and fed during even the most aggressive snowstorms. Keep the following items on hand:

• Candles
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• Perishable goods

4. Keep Your Gas Tank Full

In these cold winter months, your vehicle has to work harder to keep you warm, just like your home’s furnace. You don’t want to find yourself stranded in subzero temperatures with a car that won’t start, so be sure to keep an eye on your gas tank throughout the season.

Keeping your gas tank full prevents condensation from building up in the empty part of the tank, which can freeze your fuel lines and prevent your car from starting after a night out in the cold. A full tank of gas also helps ensure you’ll get from Point A to Point B without failure or frustration.

5. Create an Emergency Kit

In the event that your car does break down and you become stranded, don’t panic. The right emergency kit will help you stay warm and safe throughout the duration of a snowstorm, even if you’re stuck in your car. Here are a few essential items to include in your emergency snow kit:

• Bag of abrasive material (sand, salt, cat litter) or traction mats
• Snow shovel
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Window washer solvent
• Ice scraper with brush
• Jumper cables
• Extra clothing (hat, gloves, scarf)
• Blanket(s)
• Drinking water and non-perishable snacks
• First-aid kit
• Mobile phone charger

6. Grab a Shovel and Get Digging

Born-and-bred Minnesotans know the secret to surviving a winter snowstorm: Always keep a shovel on hand. (Better yet, keep a shovel in your vehicle’s trunk or backseat.) When snow piles up or plows create a barrier around your parked car, you’ll need a shovel to dig your way out.

Keeping your driveway clear of snow and ice helps you more easily get out of your garage and back on the road in the morning. And, clearing your driveway and sidewalks will help you avoid a possible ticket in accordance with Minneapolis Ordinance 445.20, which requires property owners to clear their sidewalks within 24 hours of a snowfall.

7. Salt Icy Sidewalks and Driveways

Slick, icy sidewalks and driveways are a recipe for disaster. Oftentimes, drivers and passersby can see the snow and ice out in front of them and adjust accordingly. Other times, ice freezes and becomes transparent, making it difficult to see where slippery patches crop up.

To avoid a slip and fall, sprinkle salt, sand, or another abrasive material like cat litter on the pavement to create traction against the ice and snow. This makes it easier to traverse across sidewalks and driveways, whether on foot or behind the wheel.

Ready, Set … Snow!

There’s no reason to fear a Minnesota snowstorm, as long as you’re prepared. With the right supplies and proper furnace maintenance, you’ll be set to face even the most severe storms. Refer back to this checklist throughout the wintry months, or get more winter survival tips by checking out our guide to surviving a Minnesota winter.