Wherever you are in the U.S. your driving experience can be affected by what is happening to the weather. Because the U.S. is so huge, it experiences everything from baking desert heat to 10 foot snowdrifts, powerful tornados to balmy tropical warmth.
The Northeast is one of the most varied parts of the country and though it is comparatively heavily populated and you are rarely too far from help, it is still important to be prepared for emergencies of any type and long waits if your vehicle has broken down or you have had an accident.
The Northeast Regional Climate for Drivers
The Northeastern states of New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and the New England states are generally warm and mild in summer, but have cold winters. Some years, winters are exceptionally cold with heavy snow fall and icy roads, but not every year is as cold as the rest.
The region experiences a lot of variability and motorists should be prepared for anything. The Northeastern coastal areas occasionally come under the influence of tropical depressions and hurricanes that are spewed out of the Caribbean anytime in summer or early fall.
Hurricane Sandy, for instance, did a lot of damage in this region when it roared ashore in September 2012.
Your Northeast Region Auto Emergency Kit
It’s sensible to plan ahead if you are making a long journey by car in the Northeast. You don’t want to spoil your vacation because you forgot to pack the right gear in your trunk.
When the leaves start turning in the fall, it’s time to make sure you have a full winter emergency pack in case you get stuck in the first winter storm or fall victim to bad road conditions.
Every driver should pack these items whatever the season:
- jumper cables;
- spare 2 gallon gas canister;
- spare tire and jack for changing it; tire pressure valve and foot pump; can of emergency sealant (usually only seals once);
- spare oil, transmission fluid, and brake fluid;
- cell phone charged before you set out and 12V auto charger;
- basic tool kit with wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers;
- set of 3 reflective triangles to place in front and rear of your car to alert other motorists.
Seasonal Emergency Gear
While the above tool would be good to have on their own, winter is a different story. If you're driving somewhere like New Hampshire, for example, you may also want to pack these items:
- snow shovel;
- bag of cat litter which can be used to place under tires for better grip;
- snow chains for all tires;
- cable and winch for pulling car out of snow drift;
- windscreen ice scraper;
- winter clothing and footwear;
- adequate blankets or sleeping bags to keep you warm if the gas tank runs dry or you can’t start your engine to run your heater;
- non-perishable high calorie food.
Breakdowns Could Happen at Any Time….Be Prepared!
It’s surprising how little prepared some drivers are. Breakdowns or accidents are sometimes more than just uncomfortable. Summer conditions are quite mild in the Northeast unless you are somewhere in the mountains, but winter driving requires skill and careful preparation.
Don’t get caught out without the right gear.
