A sprawling winter storm tracked from the Northern Plains through the Ohio Valley and into New England this weekend, spreading heavy snow, ice, and gusty winds along a path more than a thousand miles long. Power outages climbed past 60,000 customers at the storm’s height, with the Northeast and New England seeing some of the most significant impacts.

The Season’s Rhythm Begins

This storm is the opening move in what forecasters expect to be an active winter storm pattern. Systems like this rarely make national headlines, but for the families who spend a night or two without heat, the effect is the same as any historic storm. Preparedness is measured at the household level, not by the size of the headline.

Preparing for Winter Outages

• Inspect your standby generator and ensure it is ready to activate automatically if power is lost.
• Run a test cycle to confirm your system starts and transfers power properly in the cold.
• Plan for fuel supply and make sure natural gas or propane systems are fully connected and serviced.
• Consider an upgrade. Whole-home backup solutions from Generac and Kohler keep heat and essentials running through winter storms.

Stay Informed

Another, stronger storm system is already organizing over the West. Keep a close watch on the forecast this week.