Winter storms in northern Indiana can feel harsh and never‑ending. I’ll walk you through simple ways to stay warm, keep your animals safe, and be ready when the next big Arctic blast hits.
Staying warm at home
-
Dress in layers: a base layer (like long johns), a warm middle layer (sweatshirt or fleece), and a coat on top.
-
Keep feet, hands, and head covered. Wool socks, gloves, and a hat or hood make a big difference.
-
Use draft stoppers or rolled towels at the bottom of doors and leaky windows.
-
Close off rooms you do not need and live in a smaller space so it stays warmer.
-
Have extra blankets and sleeping bags ready, and know where candles, flashlights, and matches are if the power goes out.
Keeping animals safe
-
Make sure barns, coops, and pens are dry and out of the wind. A simple windbreak of boards, tarps, or straw bales can really help.
-
Give deep, dry bedding (straw works well). Animals can snuggle into it and stay warmer.
-
Check water often. In deep cold, water freezes fast. Use heated bowls if you have them, or swap buckets many times a day.
-
Offer a bit more food in very cold weather so animals have the energy to stay warm.
-
Watch for signs of trouble: shivering that will not stop, stiff walking, pale or gray combs on chickens, or animals that won’t get up.
Being prepared before the storm
-
Keep at least a few days of extra feed and bedding on hand for each type of animal.
-
Store jugs of water in case pipes or pumps freeze.
-
Make a simple storm kit: flashlights, batteries, phone charger, first‑aid supplies, pain relievers, and any daily medicines.
-
Fill your gas tank and charge phones before the storm hits.
-
Let someone know your plan if you live in a rural area and might get snowed in.
Taking care of yourself
-
Eat warm foods like soup, oatmeal, or chili and drink hot drinks to keep your body heat up.
-
Take short breaks inside if you are doing chores outside in strong wind or deep snow.
-
Move slowly and watch for ice; one bad fall can be worse than the storm itself.
-
Ask neighbors if they need help, and share what you can. Strong storms feel easier when the whole road or town pulls together.
A simple goal for every storm is this: you, your family, and your animals end the day dry, fed, and as warm as you can be. If you build good habits now, each Arctic blast will feel a little less scary.
Arctic blasts feel random, but they follow some clear patterns in how air moves around the globe.
Why Arctic storms come in waves
Cold air normally stays locked near the North Pole in a big “pool” of frigid air, called the polar vortex. Strong winds high in the sky (the jet stream) usually circle this pool and keep that air in place. When those winds weaken or get wavy, chunks of that cold air can slide south into the U.S., including northern Indiana.
Why they hit at certain times
Several things can line up to send that cold south:
-
A disturbed or weakened polar vortex lets Arctic air spill out.
-
A wavy jet stream dips over the Midwest, acting like a channel for that cold.
-
Large ocean patterns (like La Niña) can shift storm tracks so that the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes region see more winter storms and cold shots in some years.
When these pieces come together, we get a strong cold front, fast‑moving “clipper” systems, or bigger winter storms that drag Arctic air down over Indiana for several days at a time. That is why you often notice one or two really sharp Arctic blasts in a winter, instead of steady, even cold all season.
Most Arctic blasts only bring the very worst cold for a few days, but the weather pattern can reload, so it may feel like we’re getting hit again and again over a week or more.
-
A single “shot” of Arctic air often lasts about 2–3 days of very cold highs and bitter nights before slowly easing.
-
In some events, the core of the cold can grip an area for 3–5 days, with wind chills staying dangerous that whole time.
-
On a larger scale, a cold pattern can repeat in waves, so you might feel on‑and‑off Arctic blasts over 1–2 weeks as new fronts keep dragging cold air south.
Before the Arctic air shows up, give your car a quick “checkup,” keep the tank full, and pack a small box with tools, warmth, and snacks so you and your family are not caught off guard if the car breaks down in the cold.
Get the car ready
-
Check battery and charging system; have a shop test the battery before deep cold hits, since weak batteries often die in sub‑zero temps.
-
Check coolant/antifreeze level and strength, and top it up so the engine is protected from freezing.
-
Use winter‑grade washer fluid with de‑icer, and put on good wiper blades (winter blades if you can).
-
Make sure your tires have good tread; consider winter tires for better grip on snow and ice.
-
Keep the gas tank at least half full to help prevent fuel line freeze‑up and so you can run the heater if you are stuck.
-
If parking outside, use a windshield cover or car cover to cut down on ice build‑up and make morning clean‑up easier.
Build a winter car kit
Keep a small bin in the trunk with:
-
Jumper cables, flashlight with extra batteries, and roadside warning items (flares or reflective triangles).
-
Warm gear: blankets, extra hat, gloves, socks, and maybe hand warmers.
-
Simple food and water: bottled water and snacks like nuts, granola bars, or crackers.
-
Small first‑aid kit and basic tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver).
Be prepared to seal up the house, guard your pipes, plan for the lights going out, lay in simple supplies, and keep both people and animals dry, fed, and out of the wind.
1. Keep the heat in
-
Seal cracks around windows and doors with weather stripping or plastic film to cut drafts.
-
Close curtains at night and on very cold days to hold in heat.
-
Close doors to rooms you don’t use so you’re heating a smaller space.
2. Protect your pipes
-
Wrap pipes in cold spaces (basements, crawl spaces, exterior walls) with foam or other insulation.
-
Unhook garden hoses, drain outside lines, and cover outdoor faucets.
-
In deep cold, let a thin stream of water drip from at‑risk faucets and open cabinet doors under sinks so warm air can reach pipes.
3. Get ready for power loss
-
Check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and put in fresh batteries.
-
Have a backup heat plan that is safe indoors (properly vented wood stove, fireplace, or safe space heater) and never use grills or ovens for heat.
-
Store extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm clothes in an easy‑to‑reach spot.
4. Stock up on supplies
-
Keep several days of food and drinking water at home, plus needed medicines.
-
Make a small “storm kit” with flashlights, extra batteries, a phone charger, first‑aid supplies, and a battery or crank radio.
5. Look out for people and animals
-
Bring pets inside, and give outdoor livestock dry bedding, wind blocks, and unfrozen water.
-
Check on older neighbors, family, or anyone who may struggle with the cold.
For a long Arctic blast with the power out, focus on warmth, light, water, food, and basic health.
Must‑have basics
-
Water: at least 1 gallon per person per day for 3 days (more is better) in jugs or bottles.
-
Food: ready‑to‑eat, shelf‑stable food such as canned soups and meats, fruit, vegetables, peanut butter, crackers, granola or protein bars, nuts, and dried fruit, plus a manual can opener.
Warmth and clothing
-
Extra blankets, quilts, or sleeping bags rated for cold weather; small foil (mylar) emergency blankets if you have them.
-
Warm layers of clothing, hats, gloves or mittens, scarves, and thick socks for everyone in the house.
Light and power
-
Flashlights or battery lanterns for each main room, plus extra batteries (avoid candles, if possible, because of fire risk).
-
A battery, hand‑crank, or solar radio to get weather updates.
-
Charged power banks/portable chargers for phones and small devices.
Health and safety
-
First‑aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any special supplies your family needs.
-
At least a week of regular medicines for each person, plus any needed extras (inhalers, EpiPens, testing supplies).
-
Copies of important phone numbers (doctor, vet, power company, close family).
Comfort and extras
-
Simple entertainment: books, cards, games, coloring supplies to help pass long dark hours.
-
Supplies for pets and livestock: extra food, any meds, and a way to get them unfrozen water.
You can keep all of this together in a plastic tub or a couple of bins so it’s easy to grab when the lights go out.