How to Dress for a Snowstorm

Listen closely or risk ending up like Jack Nicholson in The Shining, minus the whole crazy axe part.

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You Will Need

  • Underwear
  • Thermal underwear
  • At least three shirts made of cotton, cotton blend, or flannel
  • A sweater, made of cashmere or cotton
  • Pants made of denim, wool, or corduroy
  • Thick wool-blend socks
  • Waterproof leather or rubber boots with Gore-Tex lining
  • A scarf made of fleece, flannel, or wool
  • A heavy, hooded winter coat or wind-breaker lined with down or fur
  • A hat that covers the ears made of wool or insulated with wool or fur
  • Fleece-lined mittens
  • And sunglasses
  • Ski mask

Steps

  1. Step 1

    Put on thermal underwear

    Over your regular undergarments, put on thermal long underwear.

  2. Step 2

    Layer shirts

    Layer your shirts by wearing the smallest and lightest first, then the next heaviest, until you have three or four comfortable layers. Top with a sweater.

  3. Several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing conserves body heat more effectively than a single layer of heavy clothing.

  4. Step 3

    Slip on pants

    Slip on pants, taking care not to bunch up your thermal underwear (because that's never enjoyable). Tuck at least one of your shirts into your pants.

  5. Step 4

    Put on socks

    Now put on those thick, cozy socks. For maximum warmth, pull them over your thermal underwear pant legs.

  6. Make sure your socks are made of a wool blend, not pure wool, which is itchy.

  7. Step 5

    Put on boots

    Now put on your boots. Remember: ice is slippery, so the thicker the treads, the better the boot.

  8. Make sure your boots are waterproof.

  9. Step 6

    Put on scarf

    It's time to wrap your scarf around your neck--wear it under your coat to help keep heat in.

  10. Breathing in very cold air can damage your lungs. If you're in extremely low temperatures, wear a ski mask.

  11. Step 7

    Put on winter coat

    Put on your winter coat, and button or zip it up all the way.

  12. Step 8

    Put on hat

    Put on a hat that covers your ears.

  13. You lose half your body heat through your head, so risk the hat hair!

  14. Step 9

    Put on mittens

    Put on mittens.

  15. Mittens keep your hands warmer than gloves.

  16. Step 10

    Wear sunglasses

    Wear sunglasses. The glare from the snow can hurt your eyes. Now you're ready to brave the elements!

  17. The largest snowflake, measuring 15 inches wide, fell in Fort Keogh, Montana, in January 1887.

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