Will Wyoming’s Winter Weather Leave You Stranded?

We've all enjoyed the warmer weather this fall, but you can bet old man winter has a few tricks in store for us in Wyoming - and soon.  Will you and your vehicle be ready?  

Wyoming typically starts seeing snow accumulation in the later part of October and first part of November, especially in the high country.  But this season has been warm and dry so far, which won't last much longer as some big changes are coming to the high plains just a few weeks down the road.

The extended forecast for Wyoming calls for cold temperatures to finally arrive mid-November and with it comes the possibility of rain showers and the much needed snow.  Will you or better yet - your vehicle - be ready?

There are several things residents can do now to help prevent winter time travel issues before the impending cold weather hits.  Here are 5 critical tips for drivers in Wyoming to help make sure your vehicle is ready for Wyoming's winter fury from repairpal.com.

Do an Engine Check Up - Cold weather can make issues like stalling and hard starting or rough idle problems much worse!  Be sure to get minor engine issues diagnosed and repaired if needed before the cold can make it worse.

Check Weak Batteries - Most batteries last between 4-5 years before needing replaced. Be sure to inspect cables and battery terminals and if you're batteries strength is questionable, have it tested or replaced.

Replace your Wiper Blades - Bad weather is made worse with bad wiper blades and can create a dangerous situation.  Now is the time to replace old wiper blades and refill your washer fluid reservoir.

Inspect your Tires and Spare - Cold weather causes tire pressures to drop so be sure to check them several times throughout the winter.  If your tread looks warn or if your tires have visible cracks in them, have them replaced.  While checking your tires, be sure to check on your spare tire and jack to make sure they are ready in case of an emergency.

Create an Emergency Kit - Wyoming has many desolate stretches of road and when winter conditions hit, it could be sometime before anyone else ventures your direction.  Be prepared by putting together a travel emergency kit for your car or truck.  Start your kits with blankets, boots and gloves, then add in an ice scraper jumper cables, flares, a flashlight and a first-aid kit.  It's also not a bad idea to keep a small snow shovel, kitty liter or sand and some bottled water in your vehicle through the winter months.

Winter will be here before you expect, so take a few minutes and make sure your vehicle is ready to avoid major issues down the road.