Winter & Cold Weather
Our region is susceptible to extreme weather types and that includes very cold temperatures, blizzards, treacherous road conditions, and unforgiving Arctic air. It is imperative that anyone living, recreating, or traveling through our area understands the risks but also the preparations to take to survive Upper Midwest winters.
Travel & Road Conditions
North Dakota has a travel information and road conditions map available for anyone to check before and during their travels. The system offers road condition updates, traffic and weather cameras, and other features to aid someone on the road. Montana also has a similar system. Each varies as to the features and uses but it is a very useful tool when one is looking to travel during winter conditions.
It is important to note that conditions can change rapidly and with little to no warning. This makes it all the more useful and important to use travel maps and apps available to the everyday traveler.
North Dakota Roads Travel Map:
Montana Roads Travel Map:
Winter Survival Kits
Winter Survival Kits are a MUST for anyone traveling from one town to the next. If stranded, broke down, or in a crash during inclement winter weather, rapid onset of exposure to the elements can risk injury or death. Help can often be delayed or inhibited due to road and weather conditions and the longer the exposure to the cold, the worse the situation someone stranded can be in.
When stranded or broke down, STAY WITH THE VEHICLE. Most casualties occur when people "go to find help" rather than shelter in place and wait for help. A vehicle is also a far easier and larger target to spot as compared to a person.
If a crash occurs, windows and heat components are often compromised. This can expose the occupants to the elements when they may also be suffering from traumatic crash injuries.
Winter Survival Kits are key to survival for all passengers.
Heat and shelter:
-Bivy, sleeping bags, tarps, blankets, butane heaters, fire starter kit, etc.
-Clothing: Multiple layers, extra socks, items to cover hands, face, head, & ears.
-Food & Water: dry goods like granola bars, & water.
-Recovery Gear: Tow strap, shovel, jumper cables
-First-Aid Kit: Basic or additional items to handle trauma injuries (bleeding).
-Cell Phone & Charger/Battery Pack
Winter Dangers - Frostbite, Hypothermia
Winter air temperatures and winds can create life threatening conditions rapidly or immediately. Anyone caught out in the elements with exposed skin during negative temperatures and/or wind chills can begin experiencing the effects in as little as five minutes, dependent on temperatures.
Frost bite and hypothermia are the two most frequent conditions humans and pets can experience. Warmth and shelter are the two key elements to safeguard against this. Sheltering in place of a stranded vehicle, building a snow shelter, and maintaining heat by warm, dry clothes coupled with a heat source are the best efforts to make. For any heat source stemming from butane or propane or from a vehicle engine, it is imperative to maintain ventilation and to keep vehicle exhaust clear from drifting snow.
Trip Planning
When planning a trip that will take one from town to town, over open country and roadways, it is best to let someone that is not with you know when you are going and when you will return. What routes you are traveling and any planned stops (fuel, restroom, food, etc) are very important to relay. Should you become overdue or fail to arrive, it gives a route for searchers to check immediately, which is again critical, when we are adding in exposure to cold weather. If the route is unknown, then a canvass of any and all possible routes must be done and that strains available resources, adds time, and creates a more dire situation.
Prior to departing on the trip and during, a traveler wants to check the road and weather conditions for the entire route, not just where they are starting. Conditions can change and vary from point to point and if there are treacherous conditions along the way, it could be best to wait until conditions improve.
It is also important to inspect your vehicle prior to any trip to have any repairs made, fluids filled, and safety features checked. NEVER get below a half tank of fuel when traveling in the winter!
Clothing & Heat - Layers
Clothing is important to staying warm and blocking the bitter cold winds of our winters.
Layers are an intricate part of being able to withstand long term exposure to the elements. When driving or riding in a vehicle, it is recommended to keep coats on or draped over the seat behind one's person. In the event of a crash, this can make them readily attainable to put on if the vehicle's glass is compromised and/or the engine and heater is no longer safe to operate or is destroyed.
It is important to pack clothing to cover ALL parts of the body. Gloves, boots, pants, long sleeved shirts, balaclava, earmuffs, mittens, hand/foot warmers, thermal underwear, and extra clothing to change out wet clothes or add layers are necessary. Sleeping bags, blankets, tarps, bivvy/survival blankets, and even tents are recommended to add to a vehicle for travel during winter. Having these items can increase comfort and most importantly, survivability.
CELL PHONE: For cell phone use and to keep the battery working, it is a must to keep the phone warm and insulated. The cold air will rapidly deplete the battery and make the phone's use and the ability to call for help, be pinged by emergency services, or otherwise tracked impossible.
Helpful Resources
For additional information and resources, there are many to check out online.
National Weather Service:
For additional information pertaining to winter safety and survival for homes during power outages, information can be found here: