(Credit: Volodymyr TVERDOKHLIB / Shutterstock)
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.
2. Gather Extra Power Sources
(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.
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).