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What is Winter like in Wyoming? From your car to your home to what you need for yourself for winter in Wyoming. A great overview of what you need in the winter while we are in the thick of it! Spring Is coming but we still have lots of snow and cold temperatures in our future this year!
I have spent many, many winters in Wyoming, and I am here to say they really aren’t that bad, especially if you are prepared. Some winters are mild and some are worse than others. Regardless, each winter you will need a few things to get through it all. Keeping warm is a big part of it. If you’ve ever lived where it gets a little bit cold, you may already own a good winter coat. If not, get one, preferably something that is either windproof or at least wind resistant. Trust me on this one. Blocking out the wind will be a lifesaver.
Snow boots are another must. While some winters bring less snow than others, we always have at least one good, heavy snow, and you need the snow boots. For both the light snow and heavy snow winters, you will want a decent pair of warm, waterproof snow boots.
A hat and gloves or mittens should round out your winter attire. You really don’t want to be left out in the cold without the right gear.
Speaking of the right gear, you are going to need some gear for your vehicle. For starters, a real good ice scraper is a must. Even if you have a garage at home, your windshield won’t always be safe from the snow and ice buildup that will definitely happen more than once throughout the winter.
When it comes to your vehicle, whether a car, truck, or SUV, good tires will be one of the most important things you can do for your safety and survival. You have a couple of options. You can either get great all-season tires with high snow and ice rating or, like many people, you can get a set of studded winter tires and swap out your tires based on the season. Don’t forget to have a good spare, a jack, a tire iron, and make sure it’s aired up.
Another absolute must in your car is an emergency kit. No matter how well your car runs, having an emergency kit with jumper cables, road flares, space blanket, small snow shovel, food and water, as well as a first aid kit is a must for winter in Wyoming. Watch this video about driving in Wyoming winters.
Now that you have your car prepared, let’s chat a little about being prepared at home, from basic home preparation to essential things you must have around, I have the information you need. Before the winter weather hits, you will need to make sure your hoses are disconnected and drained and have your sprinkler system blown out. Check your gutters and downspouts for debris and for leaks. Leaky gutters can create icy patches when a little thaw hits and then we get the inevitable refreeze. Speaking of icy patches, you might consider purchasing some ice melt for your walkways. If you live in an apartment complex or have an HOA to take care of your walks, then you might not need a snow shovel at home. But for the rest of you and for most of Casper, a snow shovel is absolutely an essential tool for getting through the winter in Wyoming.
Preparedness matters at home during the winter weather and really for any emergency, regardless of the season. You should make sure you have several gallons of bottled fresh water and several day supply of shelf stable food. Candles and matches or a lighter or flashlights with fresh batteries are handy to have in case the power goes out.
When it comes to power outages, we are actually pretty lucky in Wyoming. We have fewer power outages than many other states. Even when our power does go out, it isn’t out for too long. We are talking hours, not days. Watch this video on how to fully prepare your house for winter.
If you can swing it, having an alternative heat source for your home’s a great idea. Many Wyoming homes have wood burning stoves or fireplaces in addition to their furnace, boiler, or electric heaters, both for ambiance and as a vital backup heat source. So if you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace or wood stove in your home, make sure you stock up on firewood before the winter starts. Alternatively, it is important to have pellets or whatever fuel your fireplace burns on hand. You don’t want to get stuck in the middle of a cold snap with your furnace out and then the store is sold out of your pellet. The bottom line, to be prepared for winter in Wyoming, you need to find a way to stay warm.
Now, I just covered some of the essentials. Let’s talk about some of the things that aren’t necessarily essential but really nice to have to make it through the winter. One of my very favorite things to help me make it through winter is a remote start on my vehicle. The ability to start my truck and know it’s warming up before I have to step out into the cold is really priceless. A snowblower is another. While not essential, it’s very handy to have to make it through a snowy winter. Now to be honest, some of our snowfalls are too heavy and deep for a snowblower to make much headway, but for the bulk of the winter, the ability to start up my snowblower and clear a path without breaking my back is wonderful. As I mentioned before, a fireplace is very nice to have, but not essential.
Another thing that will help you get through the winter in Wyoming is to do something fun outside, in the outdoors. Enjoying the fun that Wyoming winter brings you definitely will help you do more than just survive the winter here. From ice fishing to sledding to snowshoeing, snowboarding, skiing, and oh so much in between, there’s so many things to try. I am sure you will find just the right thing to help you survive the wind, cold, and snow that can all be a part of winter in Wyoming. So there you have it. I hope you can use some of my top tips to prepare for, survive, and even enjoy the winter here.
For more tips on living in Wyoming, be sure to follow my channel. And of course, if you’re looking to make your home in Wyoming, give my team a call. We want to help you, we love talking with you, and we have time to help you. We want you to love where you live. See you soon.