What Long Island drivers need to know before, during and after a winter storm

After a week in Florida, Alan McDougall, 70, came back to a cold snap on Long Island that lowered his tires’ air pressure.

He stopped at a gas station in Babylon, his hometown, on Thursday to fill them up. While he doesn't think the storm will be as bad as forecasters say, he's prepared anyway, with a snowblower and shovel ready to go.

"I'm pretty well set if it does snow," he said, adding: "I don't plan on driving anywhere. Maybe Starbucks, that's about it."

Public safety officials and auto safety experts warned Long Island motorists to prepare ahead of a weekend snowstorm that forecasters predict could be the biggest to hit the region since late January 2022.

Here’s what Long Island drivers need to know to stay safe before, during and after the storm.

Before the storm

Drivers should prepare a safety kit ahead of the storm in case they're trapped in their vehicles, experts said, with items that include: 

• a snow brush
• water
• a cellphone charger
• extra blankets
• extra socks
• an extra coat
• a flashlight
• road flares
• a first aid kit
• nonperishable food items
• basic repair tools, like a spare tire and jumper cables

To avoid driving in the first place, people should stock up on whatever they might need, said New York State Police Capt. Timothy Gleason.

That could include things like batteries, food and oil for heating their homes, he said, adding that drivers should plan to avoid street-parking to allow snowplows and emergency vehicles to get through.

Timothy Sokol, owner of Elite Auto Parts in Lindenhurst, said drivers should also fill up their fuel tanks.

"If you can't get to the gas station, or the gas station can't open because they can't get plowed out, there will be nowhere to get fuel," he said. "At least if you start full, you're okay for a couple of days." 

Long Islanders planning to drive during the weekend squall should make sure their vehicles are in tiptop shape, too, experts said.

“Make sure all your lights work — headlights, blinkers, everything,” Sokol said. 

Before the storm hits, to protect visibility, drivers should replace windshield wipers older than 6 months and top off their windshield washer fluid with a dedicated winter formula, said Robert Sinclair, a spokesman for AAA Northeast.

Low temperatures can affect tires and batteries, too, he warned.

Check that tire pressure meets manufacturer recommendations, which can be found on a sticker inside the driver-side door jamb, Sinclair said. Cold weather lowers tire pressure. An underinflated tire has worse traction and a higher risk of blowing out.

Cold temperatures also weaken battery power. To avoid a dead battery, drivers with batteries past their shelf life — generally three to five years — should ask a technician before the storm to test whether a vehicle’s electrical charging system is producing enough power and visually inspect battery terminals to make sure they’re clean, Sinclair said.

“Do that before the bad weather hits,” he said.

During the storm

Pay attention to advisories about road closures and driving conditions, Gleason said, and avoid driving during hazardous weather if possible. 

It's also important for drivers to know their location, he said. Motorists should know which exits they are between, their direction of travel and the name of the roadway they are traveling on. That makes it easier for emergency responders to find drivers who need help.

It's important to have a tow company ready to call in case drivers get stuck in a snowbank, Sokol said. 

Stranded drivers should move their vehicles off the roadway but stay in the car, Gleason said. As they wait inside the car, they should run the engine for short periods of time for heat, but keep a window cracked and make sure the tailpipe is clear to avoid breathing in carbon monoxide. Drivers should call 911 for help if needed.

Drivers should also plan for enough traveling time and drive “appropriately for the weather conditions,” Gleason said.

“Oftentimes people who do have accidents are driving at a speed that’s not reasonable and prudent for the weather conditions," he said.

Sinclair urged drivers to drive below posted speed limits during the storm, and to leave lots of space between their car and the vehicle in front of them. The state has also warned against closely following or attempting to pass a snowplow. 

Drivers with antilock brakes who find themselves starting to slide should gently press the brakes and steer in the direction they want to go, Sinclair advised.

“Brake, then steer, then accelerate," he said. "But the best thing to do to deal with slide is to slow down so it never happens.”

Sokol emphasized that all passengers should be wearing their seat belts. 

"You can’t put them on when the car starts spinning,” he said. 

After the storm

Clear the car of snow and ice so other vehicles and pedestrians aren’t hit by falling debris, Gleason said. Drivers should also make sure they shovel walkways in front of their residences and that fire hydrants are cleared near where they live.

Before getting in the car, all drivers, but especially those in smaller vehicles, should make sure their tailpipe is clear of snow and ice, Sinclair said. A blockage could force exhaust into the vehicle, which can have fatal consequences. 

“It is an unfortunate tragedy every year when we get a major snowstorm,” he said. “Death by carbon monoxide, you don’t even realize it’s happening. You feel a little sleepy, you drift off to sleep, and next thing you know, you’re dead."

After the snow and ice clear, it's also a good idea to wash the car to get rid of road salt, which can ruin a paint job and accelerate rust, he said. 

While driving after the storm, drivers should keep an eye out for black ice, Sinclair added. One tip for recognizing the phenomenon is to watch the vehicle in front of you. If it’s kicking up spray, the road is just wet. But if the road looks wet and nearby vehicles are not kicking up spray, then there’s ice, he said. Bridges and overpasses are particularly prone to freezing.

Drivers should also watch out for potholes, Sinclair said. Some could be masked by snow and ice.

But regardless of preparation or post-storm cleanup, officials said the most important advice applies before and during the storm.

“Without a doubt, you need to be prepared for this storm,” Sinclair said. “Best advice? Stay home."