Winter Survival & Preparedness Guide
County Warming Centers
In the event of extreme cold temperatures, Warming Centers throughout the County will be open for residents, especially the most vulnerable, to temporarily escape the elements. Find a Warming Center near you.
2026 Winter Weather Hub
Get updates on road conditions, snow emergencies, waste collection, winter safety tips, and warming center locations.
2026 Department of Public Works & Transportation Snow FAQs
For snow-related concerns, please submit your service request through PGC311 for assistance. For additional details, please review the Snow FAQs.
Safe Snow Removal
Shoveling Caution: Avoid overexertion, as shoveling is a known trigger for heart attacks. Take frequent breaks and push snow rather than lifting it when possible. Find a few tips to keep in mind while you are shoveling snow this winter.
Get Snow Removal Tips
Winter Travel
Vehicle Readiness: Keep your gas tank at least half full to prevent fuel lines from freezing.
Drive Slow: Increase following distance to 5–6 seconds on icy roads to allow for longer stopping times.
Travel Kit: Carry a car emergency kit including blankets, jumper cables, a flashlight with extra batteries, and a bag of sand or kitty litter for traction.
Discover Emergency Kit Essentials
Preventing Low Body Temperature
Low body temperature, or Hypothermia, is a serious health problem that can be caused by exposure to cold weather. We recommend that residents without heat or in need of relief from the cold temperatures use one of the county's local warming centers.
Learn How to Prevent Hypothermia
Maryland Department of Health Extreme Cold Social Media Toolkit
Free Extreme Cold Social Media Toolkit provides ready-to-use graphics, safety tips, and messaging to help you keep your community informed and safe.
Download the Social Media Toolkit
