Winter Weather Supplies for Car?

Cheryl O is right on. I would add water and a box of granola/snack bars. You never know how long you may be stuck somewhere. Good question

I moved to TN from the Chicago land area almost 10 years ago.... I still keep an extra bottle of windshield fluid (with the anti freeze stuff in it) in my trunk because it will help if your locks ever freeze, you can still get it out of the trunk and "thaw" the locks. when I lived up there, I kept kitty litter in the trunk, but it was more for the weight than traction.... I also kept a liter of water and some snacks just in case....gloves, extra socks and blankets... a few lightweight blankets so you can layer them. and like Mom~of~4 said, a snow shovel. one other thing I put in there was a pair of mens rubber boots (that you put on over your shoes) They were great for when I got stuck in the snow, my feet didn't get wet, and they got better traction than most tennis shoes do now. If you pack this right, everything but the kitty litter and windshield fluid should be able to fit in a milk crate in the back corner of your trunk out of the way.

I've been in the military for about 10 years now, so my kits tend to be extensive. I've seen too many disasters I guess.

I have two "sets" of emergency gear in my car. The first is in a plastic "tub" and includes things I might need if my car gets stuck or I am stranded. Jumper cables, a first aid/trauma kit, food and water, gloves, hat and scarf, a blanket, tools, toilet paper, paper towels, ice scraper, flashlight, knife, road flares, umbrella, hiking boots and heavy socks (especially good if you are out in heels...ladies always remember to put extra shoes in your car...do you want to walk 5 miles in those heels?), and a shovel.

The second "kit" is my "go bag" or "bug out bag." It's a heavy duty bag with handles...so I can grab it and leave my car with it if needed. It contains food (MRE's), a poncho, my smaller first aid kit, knife, flashlight, handwarmers, a fire-starting kit, a cheapo cell phone that I always keep charged and turned off, just in case (because you can still call 9-1-1 on a cell phone with no plan, as long as it's charged), a waterproof tablet and pen, sunscreen and bug spray, more gloves, and a lot of other stuff.

Since I work at a military instillation, should a disaster occur, I might not be allowed to leave the compound...so I want to have extra goodies to ensure that I'm good to stay a while if needed...and stay comfortably! ;o)

I keep, or should say kept as my husband keeps taking it out, a child's size shovel in the back of my van. 2 blankets in case the kids are with me, a big umbrella always and this year I am adding hand warmers. They are small charcoal activated pouches you can buy at Walgreens for about $1. Once you open them, they stay active for about 4 hours to keep your hands warm. They also make for your feet to keep your toes warm. I have never kept a bag of cat litter though and never wished I had it, even last year's blizzard. The great thing about an SUV or van is you can crawl to the back to get it, no need to get out of the car to get to the trunk.

ETA: the only problem with keeping water in the car (I admit I do keep a case since I grab a bottle to take to work) is the water freezes in Chicago's cold. If you are going out and it is really cold, make sure you grab some water from the house-especially if they are predicting snow or you are traveling far.

We always keep a blanket, extra clothing, a few granola bars, bottles of water and a snow shovel in the trunk.

Extra blanket per child
snacks
water
diapers
kids books
AND
reflective orange triangles to warn other drivers you are stopped
LED spot light in case you have to change a tire
small shovel (for snow)

Here's hoping you never have to use 'em...

Jumper cables
very effective rock salt
Collapsable or telescoping shovel
Flashlight with batteries
Flares
A set of hats/mittens for each kids--it is inevitable that the 1 day we get in the car without them would be the day we'd need them

When I lived up north I always kept a blanket, warm clothes, water and some food (packaged items). I would also keep something heavy in the back of the vehicle, the weight will help with traction in the snow. Kitty litter will help if you are on ice, but not in deep snow.
I would never travel when a big storm was expected, except to work. Once I became a SAHM I would just stay in with my daughter. I used to live in the mountains in north eastern PA so with the hills and turns the roads would get really bad.

In my car, I have the following in a small rubbermaid tub: (I have Grand Caravan)

- jumper cables
- blanket
- first aid kit
- camp shovel (only in the winter)
- windshield wiper fluid
- gloves
- beanie
- road hazard flares and triangles (two each - fold down REALLY nice)
- a gallon bag of kitty litter/de-icer/gravel - you don't need much to get the traction.
- flash light and extra batteries (I have the 4D mag light)

ETA:
-Bright yellow rain coat/poncho
-hand warmers - the $1 ones you can pick up at Home Depot to put inside gloves.

I always have my umbrella in the car - it's one of those BIG golf umbrellas - slides down next to my seat.

I've not lived in Chicago - so I don't know how they handle the roads there - I don't know if you need chains or not. There are mama's on here who live in Chicago and could give you better information.

Add to that a candles for warmth and light if you are in the car and can't go
Chocolate bars and snacks (granola type)
water
blankets if you can get them with the reflective stuff is better to hold your heat in
small shovel
handwarmers
extra gloves/mittens, scarves, knitted caps to pull down over your ears
cell phone (charged)
emergency triangles and flares

The candle and chocolate are from when we were stationed in Canada and it was like being in Alaska.

But best of all if you know there is a storm coming stay home and wait until it is over. If you have to be out do so during the day and not at night.

Hope we all give you ideas for your winter gear.

The other S.

We're in and out of the mountains all the time, so our list may be a bit different than if there's a 7/11 2 blocks away:

2 sleeping bags
Drinks & Food
Snowshovel
Maglite
De-icer window wash spray ((I keep a jug in the car, works great for windshields, but in a pinch, also works great to melt snow under tires, frozen locks, etc.))
JumpStartBox
AAA
Credit Card (we've stayed in hotels from time to time if it's too icky to drive safe)
Snowclothes & Change clothes
Swimsuit (the hotel thing)