It’s always good to be prepared for any weather. Especially when a monster snowstorm is set to hit a good portion of the country. If you’re anywhere between Arizona and West Virginia this week, or live in the Northeast, prepare to get snowed in. The New York City area alone is expected to get 8-16 inches of snow, and it could be even worse around DC. Large storms like this, especially in areas not prepared for cold temperatures, can cause power outages and service interruptions as heavy snow weighs down trees, breaking branches and snapping power lines. Ice buildup doesn’t help either. If you’re looking to get your tech ready for an emergency—or even just a few annoying days stuck inside—here are a few ways to prepare.
1. Make Sure Your Devices Are Charged
(Credit: Studio.image/Shutterstock)
Before the storm hits, make sure all your phones, tablets, and computers are fully charged. You’ll likely want to do the same for any mobile gaming devices. If you own a Nintendo Switch 2, make sure to disable the setting that caps the battery at 90%—for a storm like this, you’ll want that extra 10% of power. And don’t forget the camera for those sledding videos and snow angel pics.
(Credit: AtlasStudio/Shutterstock)
For additional power, have a portable power bank at the ready (and fully charged). If you’re in a bind, you’ll be able to use a computer as a charger if you attach the devices over USB (and use the correct port). Don’t just focus on the devices you use every day. If you have an extra laptop you no longer use, charge it anyway and use it as an external power source for your phone.
3. Back Up and Sync Your Files
If you’re planning to be without internet access for an extended period, it’s a good idea to back up your data just to be safe. If you’re using a cloud backup service, that means you should run it manually while you still have power. File-syncing services, such as Dropbox and Google Drive, rely on the internet to work, so make sure to download any files you might need in the next few days, or enable offline viewing, so you can work from a local copy.
4. Download All Your Entertainment Now
If you’re snowed in, you’ll be needing something to do while you wait to thaw out. Unfortunately, the vast majority of our entertainment these days comes from streaming services that require an internet connection. For this situation, download your Spotify playlists, HBO Max watch list, podcast episodes, and latest ebook to your devices, just as you might ahead of a long flight.
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Double-check that your streaming service offers downloads; some of them now limit them to higher tiers of service, including Netflix. For the kids, a YouTube Premium account includes downloads to help them stay connected to their favorite creators (for better or worse).
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About Our Expert
Jason Cohen
Senior Editor, Help & How To
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As PCMag’s editor of how to content, I have to cover a wide variety of topics and also make our stories accessible to everyday users. Considering my history as a technical writer, copywriter, and all-around freelancer covering baseball, comics, and more at various outlets, I am used to making myself into an expert.
I believe tech corporations are bad, but you might as well know how to use technology in everyday life. Want more how to content delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the tips and tricks newsletter that I curate twice a week.
My job as how-to guru means I use just about every gadget under the sun, so I can figure out how everything works. I work from a Lenovo ThinkPad running Windows 11, but also have a very large Dell Inspiron 17 3000 and Apple silicon MacBook. I also have a Google Pixel 6a for personal use and use a Galaxy Z Flip 4 for additional Samsung-related testing. For iOS coverage, an iPhone 13 mini works like a charm, though it’s already becoming a little long in the tooth.
My desktop situation includes a dual monitor setup with a modest Acer monitor. I also use a Logitech mouse (who can use these ThinkPad trackpads) and a Havit keyboard (my first mechanical keyboard; I love it but my wife hates it!). I’m a recent convert from wired headphones; I have Anker Soundcore Liberty Air wireless earbuds for personal use and have taken to the Sennheiser HD 450BT headphones for work.
Whenever I have a second to myself, I’m probably gaming on my Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, or Xbox Series S. I also still have a bunch of classic consoles lying around as well.
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