Your pre-snow (or ice) storm shopping list

Roughly 150 million Americans are under winter weather watches or warnings for extreme cold as a potentially catastrophic ice storm will stretch from New Mexico to the Carolinas.

Days-long power outages are possible, and travel could be impossible for some of the nation’s biggest cities like DC and New York. The storm is expected to begin Friday and continue through the weekend, bringing ice, freezing rain and sleet to Gulf Coast states and more than a foot of snow to cities in the Northeast.

Here are some tips on how to prepare and what foods to stock in your home, courtesy of the National Weather Service:

Estimated snow totals (FOX Weather)

Snowstorm food list

Non-perishable foods (those that don’t require refrigeration or cooking) are essential during a snowstorm in case the power goes out. These include:

Lots of water (a gallon a day for each person in your household)
Peanut butter
nuts
dried fruits
granola bars or protein bars
canned or packaged tuna or chicken
Canned fruits and vegetables (make sure you have a manual can opener!)
Canned soups
Canned beans
Shelf-stable milk
cereal
Instant coffee or hot chocolate
meat jerky
extra baby formula (if you have a baby at home)
extra pet food (if you have pets)

What to have at home

Flashlight and extra batteries
Battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and portable radio to receive emergency information
Extra non-perishable food and water
Extra prescription medicine
Baby items such as diapers and formula
First-aid supplies
Heating fuel: refuel before you are empty; fuel carriers may not reach you for days after a winter storm
Emergency heat source: fireplace, wood stove or space heater properly ventilated to prevent a fire
Fire extinguisher, smoke alarm; test smoke alarms monthly to ensure they work properly
Extra pet food and warm shelter for pets
Review generator safety: Never run a generator in an enclosed space
Make sure your carbon monoxide detector is working correctly and that the outside vent is clear of leaves and debris. During or after the storm, make sure it is cleared of snow.
Home fires are common each winter when trying to stay warm. Review ways to keep your home and loved ones safe.

FILE - People shop at a grocery store in Brooklyn on December 12, 2025 in New York City (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

What to have in your car

Mobile phone, charger, batteries
Blankets/sleeping bags
Flashlight with extra batteries
First-aid kit
Knife
High-calorie, non-perishable food
Extra clothing to keep dry
Large empty can to use as emergency toilet, tissues, toilet paper and paper towels
Small can and waterproof matches to melt snow for drinking water
Sack of sand or cat litter for traction
Shovel
Windshield scraper and brush
Tool kit
Tow rope
Battery booster cables
Water container
Candle and matches to provide light and in an emergency, lifesaving heat.
Compass and road maps, don't depend on mobile devices with limited battery life