Be Prepared For Winter With 10 Snow Storm Essentials From Harbor Freight

Fall likes to tease, giving us some sunny afternoons to offset the crisp air and the few hardy blooms surviving the first freeze or two. But don't let all of fall's charms fool you. When winter arrives, it can hit like a ton of bricks, which is why it's always smart to be ready before that first snow storm strikes. When it comes to prep, we don't just mean learning how to winterize your perennials, grabbing a couple gallons of water and food to get through outages, and making a big pot of soup (though those are great ideas, too). We're talking setting a foundation and stocking your basement, garage, or car with the home essentials that will get you through even the strongest of storms. One place that covers all the bases? Harbor Freight.

Harbor Freight can be a one-stop shop for many winter storm essentials, including the everyday snow shovel you'll need to make a path for you and your family and the kits needed to work around emergencies and broken-down vehicles. Plus, if you grab an annual membership for $30, you'll get exclusive deals to save significantly on your collection of crucial seasonal gear. From the gadgets that will power you through outages to the tools that can stand up to snow, here are some of our favorite Harbor Freight items you should stock up on today.

Do you have a car you keep outdoors, exposed to all the elements of a winter storm? Snow's hefty weight and long-lasting moisture can make that car more vulnerable to rust, frame damage, and windshield cracks. A COVERPRO Portable Garage provides an easy-to-assemble garage alternative that doesn't involve construction. It'll minimize the risk of winter damage to your car, keep it snow-free if you need it in a pinch during the storm, and save you the sore shoulders that come from digging a car out of the snow.

Your car battery is more prone to dying in the cold. And when any car failures happen in frigid temps, high winds, or thick snow flurries, you don't have time to wait around for a tow truck. Instead, keep a VIKING Multifunction Jump Charger and Power Pack in your trunk. It's the heavy hitter you need when you're caught in the cold, since, along with jumping your car, it can charge your devices or pump some air into your tires.

There are tons of potential uses for flashlights in a winter storm, from finding your way around your house if the power goes out to navigating icy pathways if you must venture into the cold, dark night. Now that most people have a flashlight on their smartphone, they forget to keep one on hand around the house. But you don't want to rely on a device that isn't as powerful and might be out of battery. Instead, keep a charged BRAUN 1800-Lumen Rechargeable Waterproof Tactical LED Flashlight to handle the elements and help you get through the storm.

Don't make the rookie mistake of getting caught without batteries during a storm. Factors like the ice and snow weighing down power lines, extreme temperatures, and demand on energy grids can make power outages common during winter storms. Check items like radios, flashlights, personal medical devices, or battery-powered space heaters, and then make sure you've got enough THUNDERBOLT MAGNUM Alkaline Batteries in the correct sizes for all your devices.

Harbor Freight carries an affordable BAUER Cordless Compact Radio that could act as your right hand man if the power goes out during a storm. Along with using it to tune into the radio for emergency information (or just a little entertainment), you can use it to charge your smartphone and other small devices. When you get yours, make sure you know how to tune into your local NOAA Weather Radio, which will be somewhere in between the 162.400 and 162.550 MHz frequencies.

Got any pipes at risk of freezing when the temperatures dip? Then it's smart to add an AMES INSTRUMENTS Infrared Laser Thermometer to your winter storm shopping list while at Harbor Freight. By pointing it at different areas of your pipes, you can measure temps, identify chilly spots, and monitor changes so that you know if you have to take other preventive measures for pipes that are getting too cold too quickly.

Like any good starter survival kit, the GORDON Emergency Survival Kit from Harbor Freight is packed with essentials you hope you'll never need — but you'll be glad you have them in your car in case you get stranded during a storm. Packed with items like a survival knife, an emergency blanket, an LED flashlight, and a fire starter, it's a good mix of tools that can keep you safe and help you navigate your way out of difficult situations.

A snow shovel is a blizzard no-brainer, so much so that people forget to grab a good one like the lightweight ONE STOP GARDENS Aluminum Scoop Shovel with D-Handle before it's too late. Rather than fight crowds to get the last one in the lead-up to a storm, snag one before they're sold out. One more hot tip: Move at least one shovel inside the house before the storm starts. If snow pileups make it impossible to get out your door, you'll be grateful you've got the tool to dig yourself out.

When temperatures get dangerously low, a BAUER Forced Air Portable Heater can help warm areas super quickly. Hook it to a propane tank, and it might be helpful in the garage or in a basement if you're trying to make sure pipes don't freeze. Just be mindful when you use these indoors; follow the manufacturer instructions, and take the proper safety precautions to avoid risks like overheating or carbon monoxide poisoning.

One surefire way to prep your home for cold weather? Grab an extra VANGUARD Indoor/Outdoor Extension Cord (or three). These will always come in handy, whether you're juicing up a generator or charging your electric snow blower. This one is a smart choice since it's outfitted for outdoor use as well as indoor. When conditions get dicey outside, you want the cord with the durable coating and insulation to hold up against the winter elements while powering your gadgets.