We’ve all heard family stories about Grandma walking ten miles in snow six feet deep holding a hot potato, up hill both ways… (insert kid rolling eyes here). We’ve also heard about people knowing a screaming snow storm was coming from an ache in their bones. Let’s face it, Chicago winters are brutal. But these days we have mobile phone apps and Doppler radar to help us prepare. Meteorologists can tell us whether we need the long underwear or just parkas and boots (and sometimes they are even correct!). While weather apps like WeatherBug and Weather Underground help prevent needless deaths in blizzard conditions and keep us informed 24/7 with alerts on our phones. Here are a few additional tools and tips for surviving winter weather in Chicago.
Chicago Forecast Weather Apps
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or NOAA has several exceptional apps for forecasting winter storms. We think the best is NOAA Snow Forecast, for $1.99 on iOs and Android. The app tells Chicagoans which neighborhoods will be getting snow as opposed to the whole city. You will know if you really need to get to that party or not. The app displays detailed forecasts both hourly and other.
Our next favorite is NOAA’s Doppler Radar, free on iOs and Android. The user interface is attractive, and the app tells you everything you need to know about storms nearing Chicago.
This app is a necessity for the traveler: Weather Route, free on Android. You enter a beginning and ending destination, and it checks the weather throughout your whole trip instead of you having to look up and check each city. You can even adjust the time when you will be in different areas.
Survival Apps
Winter Survival Kit, which is free on iOS and Android, is an app that alerts emergency contacts when you’re stranded on the road. The app lets you store contact information, how much gas is left in your car and information on surviving a snow storm. The user interface is a little simplistic, but that just makes the information easier for you to process.
Survival Guide, free on iOS and Android, is so much more than useful. If you weren’t a Girl or Boy Scout, you’ll need to know how to build a fire, find food and water and protect yourself from the elements. The user interface is interesting, with detailed explanations of everything.
Tips for Surviving Chicago Winter
Of course, bring your animals inside if it’s going to blizzard. Stay indoors. If you can’t and/or are caught in a car during a snow storm, here are some things to remember:
- Start treating parking lots and sidewalks with deicer before the storm hits.
- Keep a battery operated radio in your building or a power backup source like a generator.
- Top off the tank. Never ever keep a less than full tank of gas in a snow storm.
- Keep the window cracked to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Alert an emergency contact to your route and expected time of arrival.
- Stock and keep in and emergency kit in your office and car with items like flashlight and batteries, cell phone charger, snow shovel, bottled water and healthy snacks for hydration, any medications you will need, kitty litter for traction, cloth to tie to your antenna and snow brush
Now that you’re prepared for the World War III of snow storms, give more thought to the sidewalks and parking lots of your business so you can stay open and safe during snow storms. Brancato Snow and Ice Management are experts in commercial snow plowing, ice control, snow relocation and snow melting. If you know more tips and good apps for snowy days, please comment below or tell us when you contact us for more information.