13 Things Minnesotans Keep in Their Car From November to April That Other Americans Never Have to Think About
Help can take hours to arrive in a Minnesota winter storm, so locals pack for it.
Here’s what Minnesotans keep in their car from November to April that Americans from warmer states never have to think about.
1. Candle in a Coffee Can
The National Weather Service’s Twin Cities office lists a large coffee can with a plastic lid as the container for a winter storm survival kit.
Candles and matches go inside, next to a metal cup so you can melt snow into drinking water.
Rice County’s version calls for an empty 3-pound coffee can with a plastic cover.
If a winter storm traps you, the Weather Service’s page also says to keep one window slightly open.
2. Kitty Litter or Sand
Rice County’s kit list calls for sand, cat litter or other grit in a plastic milk carton.
Kitty litter or sand also gives your tires something to grip, which is why it’s on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s winter kit list.
If your wheels spin on ice, you’ll be glad you packed it.
3. Ice Scraper With a Brush
Todd County’s winter vehicle kit list names an ice scraper with a brush.
The federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) lists a broom and an ice scraper too.
The Minnesota State Patrol’s winter driving tips tell you to get the snow off your hood, roof and trunk.
In the Twin Cities, the median date of the first one-inch snowfall is Nov. 15, based on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources records from 1884 to 2023.
That’s about when you’ll want your scraper and brush in the car.
4. Jumper Cables
Jumper cables go by two names on the winter kit lists.
The Department of Public Safety’s list says booster cables, while the Weather Service’s says jumper cables.
Rice County files them under bulky and heavy items and says to store those somewhere you can get to them easily.
When severe winter weather threatens, the county also says to move your safety items into the passenger compartment.
That’s in case the trunk is jammed.
Psst! How much do you know about Minnesota winters? Take our quiz and see if you can ace it.
Quiz
Minnesota Winter Trivia
Answer these questions on Minnesota’s cold, snow and winter records. We bet you can’t get them all right. Prove us wrong?
Minnesota’s biggest 24-hour temperature change on record, at Nett Lake in 1970, was how many degrees Fahrenheit?
5. Shovel
The Department of Public Safety's winter survival kit list for your vehicle includes a shovel.
Todd County's kit list, NHTSA's list and the Weather Service's list name one too.
Some drivers rescued in the February 2019 storm had only a shovel, which the department's blog says wasn't going to free them in that much snow.
The kit list also names non-perishable food, bottled water and extra blankets to pack alongside your shovel.
6. Blankets
NHTSA lists blankets for protection from the cold, and says to carry them in your vehicle.
Todd County's winter vehicle kit list calls for a blanket or sleeping bag.
In the February 2019 storm, many stranded drivers didn't have food or blankets on hand, according to the Department of Public Safety.
If you ride with a passenger, a second blanket covers them too.
7. Boots, Jackets and Gloves
Boots, jackets and gloves are on the Department of Public Safety's winter survival kit list.
Its blog on the February 2019 storm describes one couple stranded on a gravel road in the middle of the night in only light jackets.
Some other drivers had dressed for the cold, but not for a long wait in extreme temperatures.
A coat that works for your quick walk to the store may not be enough if you're stuck for hours.
Rice County's kit list goes further, with a snowmobile suit and heavy boots.
8. Snacks and Water
What snacks can you eat after hours in a stalled car?
Rice County's kit list says to choose small packages of food you can eat hot or cold.
Its food list includes food bars, raisins in small packets and wrapped hard candies.
Bottled water and snacks sit side by side on the Department of Public Safety's list too.
9. Phone Charger
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety's winter kit list includes a cell phone charger.
The Minnesota State Patrol's winter driving tips tell you to grab your emergency kit and charge your phone.
Rice County's list asks for a cell phone adapter that plugs into the lighter.
Your phone is also how you check road conditions, whether you look online or call 511.
What 511 Covers
The 511 service from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) reports the road conditions, traffic incidents and weather you'd want to know before you drive.
You can reach it by phone or on the web, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
During a winter weather event, MnDOT calls 511 the best way to find current road conditions.
10. Flashlight With Spare Batteries
The flashlight on Rice County's winter kit list comes with a storage rule.
The list says to reverse the batteries inside it to avoid accidental switching and burnout.
It also says to warm the batteries before you use them.
The Department of Public Safety's list names spare batteries for your flashlight too.
It repeated that line in a March 2024 release about spring snow.
11. Red Bandana
A red bandana is on the Department of Public Safety's winter kit list as a distress signal.
You tie it to your car so rescuers can find you more easily.
The Weather Service's list says to tie one on the antenna.
Red stands out against snow.
12. Tow Cable or Chain
The Weather Service's list of bulky or heavy items that should be in your vehicle includes a tow cable or chain.
Rice County's kit list names tow cables or chain in the same group.
Both lists also put the shovel and the jumper cables there, so you can pack that heavy gear together.
13. First Aid Kit
NHTSA's list of items to stock your vehicle with includes a first aid kit with a tourniquet.
The Weather Service's winter storm list names a first aid kit too.
NHTSA's list also names any necessary medicine, so you'd stock that in the car too.
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