There’s Snow Place Like Home: How To Prepare For Winter Weather
Angel Alvarado | Feb. 3, 2026
Students sled down a hill in Dogwood Pasture at Warren Wilson College (WWC) in Swannanoa, N.C. on Jan. 31, 2026. (Vivian Bryan/Echo)
It would be an understatement to say that disappointment was felt with the original winter storm that took place on January 23-25, which was expected to be a snowy and icy storm, ended up being a wet and cold mess. Many stores around Swannanoa and Asheville alike were emptied out of their stock on breads, water bottles, propane gas tanks, canned foods and more, likely in part because of the increased concern over major weather events after Hurricane Helene Little did we know that the following week, on the last days of January, we would be putting all our groceries to use as a snowfall of 5-10 inches came as a late New Year's gift.
Two years ago, on September 27, Western North Carolina (WNC) was hit by Hurricane Helene. Seeing the way that many stores were flooded a few days before this icy storm prompted me to ponder how the news of this storm might have brought back the trepidation for others that was felt during Hurricane Helene.
Before the winter storm, the president of Warren Wilson College (WWC), Damián J. Fernández, encouraged students to leave campus after their classes on Friday via email, as well as canceling classes for that Monday and Tuesday after the storm. This news prompted students to prepare for the bad weather, whether it was to stay on campus or head back home. Many students started to share guides on how to stay warm and treat any cold-related injuries if worst came to worst.
Luckily, or unluckily for those who wanted some snow, not much happened around Asheville, with some ice and heavy snowfall in other parts of the East Coast. However, in the neighboring state of Tennessee, the story was different, with cities like Knoxville and Nashville having winter storm-related deaths and power outages.
January and February are the months when the cold weather passes through the mountains here in Asheville, so allow me to repeat the messages you may have been hearing regarding staying warm and safe in these chilly times.
The official website of the state of North Carolina recommends that, prior to a winter storm or extreme low temperatures, you should stock up on enough food and water to last about 7 days without power. Avoid traveling unless necessary, and if so, carry a disaster supply kit in the car. Finally, stay attentive to the news, whether it be on the radio or online, as well as establish a way to communicate with family in the case that the power goes out.
Now that we have established what to do to stay safe, we can get to the fun part! What does one do in the middle of a winter storm to actually have fun? If the power is still on and the water is still running nice and warm, I’d say it is a safe bet to enjoy the snow in classic ways, like building a snowman and making snow angels. Remember that once you are done, it's best to warm up with a hot drink and some dry clothes, potentially, after a warm bath or shower. If you aren't a fan of outside activities or the cold, you can always enjoy a nice movie marathon while baking some yummy treats. Now, in the case of the power being out, I’d recommend staying inside and finally reading that book you always wanted to get to or getting nostalgic by making blanket forts.
Overall, the weather here in Asheville can be unpredictable, so it's a safe bet to always be prepared for any situation. After Hurricane Helene, it is valid to be fearful of extreme weather, but we as a community are well-prepared to handle any event. Together we will stay warm and safely have fun in the cold weather.