Weather
Vermont Winter Weather 2026/27: 10 Steps Before Heavy Snow Hits
Burlington, VT – A powerful December blizzard could leave Vermont homeowners facing buried driveways, frozen plumbing, dangerous wind chills and extended power outages. With winter 2026/27 approaching
By Evan Cross · 2026-11-15T17:12:16.082Z
Burlington, VT – A powerful December blizzard could leave Vermont homeowners facing buried driveways, frozen plumbing, dangerous wind chills and extended power outages. With winter 2026/27 approaching, residents across Burlington, Chittenden County, the greater Burlington metropolitan area and communities throughout the state should prepare before heavy snow and extreme cold create potentially dangerous conditions.
According to the National Weather Service and Vermont Emergency Management, winter storms can produce substantial snowfall, freezing rain, strong winds and hazardous travel. The Green Mountains can experience significant snow accumulation, while the Northeast Kingdom faces prolonged cold and rural communities may experience extended power disruptions.
Here are 10 critical steps Vermont residents should take before a December blizzard threatens their homes.
1. Inspect Your Roof Before Heavy Snow Creates Structural Danger Vermont roofs can accumulate substantial weight during repeated snowstorms, particularly when wet snow or freezing rain follows earlier accumulation.
Inspect shingles, gutters, flashing and attic spaces for damage.
Homeowners in Burlington, Montpelier and St. Albans should pay attention to older roofs and areas where snow collects unevenly.
Mountain communities near Stowe, Killington and Jay Peak may experience greater snowfall accumulation.
Watch for sagging ceilings, new cracks or unusual structural noises. Seek professional evaluation if structural problems appear.
Never climb onto an icy roof.
2. Protect Water Pipes Before Temperatures Plunge Frozen pipes can burst and cause extensive water damage during prolonged cold outbreaks.
Insulate exposed plumbing in basements, crawl spaces, garages and exterior walls.
Disconnect outdoor hoses, protect exterior faucets and identify the main water shutoff valve.
Residents in Newport, Island Pond and other Northeast Kingdom communities should pay particular attention to plumbing exposed to extended subzero temperatures.
Maintain indoor heating when traveling and open cabinet doors beneath vulnerable sinks during extreme cold.
3. Service Your Furnace, Boiler or Heat Pump Before December Heating failures during severe winter weather can quickly become emergencies.
Schedule professional inspections of oil fired boilers, propane furnaces, heat pumps and other heating equipment.
Replace appropriate filters, check heating fuel supplies and verify that thermostats function correctly.
Residents relying on wood stoves or pellet stoves should inspect chimneys, venting systems and fuel supplies.
Keep outdoor heating exhaust outlets clear of accumulating snow.
4. Prepare for Power Outages Lasting Several Days Heavy snow, freezing rain and strong winds can bring down trees and electrical lines.
Vermont's wooded terrain and rural communities can complicate restoration following damaging storms.
Keep flashlights, charged power banks, batteries and battery powered weather radios accessible.
Households relying on electrically powered medical devices should establish backup arrangements.
Portable generators must operate outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and vents, with exhaust directed away from buildings.
Never operate generators inside garages, barns or enclosed porches.
5. Build a Blizzard Emergency Supply Kit Maintain at least three days of emergency supplies, with additional provisions for households in remote mountain communities.
Store one gallon of drinking water per person daily, nonperishable food, prescription medications, blankets, first aid equipment and pet supplies.
Homes relying on private wells should store additional water because electric pumps may stop operating during outages.
Keep essential supplies in an accessible location rather than an unheated outbuilding.
6. Prevent Ice Dams and Hidden Roof Damage Ice dams form when melting roof snow refreezes near colder roof edges, trapping water beneath roofing materials.
Inspect attic insulation, seal accessible air leaks and maintain appropriate ventilation.
Replace damaged weatherstripping around windows and doors.
Homes experiencing recurring ice dams should be evaluated by qualified contractors before substantial snowfall develops.
Avoid attempting roof repairs during icy conditions.
7. Remove Dangerous Tree Limbs Before Snow and Ice Strike Heavy, wet snow and freezing rain can break weakened branches, damaging homes, vehicles and power lines.
Inspect trees near roofs, garages, driveways and electrical service connections.
Arrange professional removal of dead or unstable limbs.
Residents in wooded communities throughout Washington, Windsor and Caledonia counties should pay particular attention to trees overhanging access roads.
Never approach downed electrical wires or attempt to remove branches touching power lines.
8. Prepare Snowblowers, Driveways and Emergency Access A major winter storm can block driveways, exterior doors and access routes for emergency responders.
Inspect snowblowers, shovels and ice melting supplies before December.
Check equipment condition and store fuel safely.
Keep heating fuel delivery routes, exterior stairways, emergency exits and furnace vents accessible.
Mountain residents should prepare for drifting snow that can repeatedly block previously cleared entrances.
Avoid excessive physical exertion while shoveling, particularly if you have cardiovascular risk factors.
9. Test Carbon Monoxide Detectors Before Using Backup Heat Carbon monoxide poisoning becomes a serious concern during winter power outages.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries or devices according to manufacturer instructions.
Keep generator exhaust away from buildings and ensure heating appliance vents remain unobstructed.
Never use charcoal grills, camping stoves, gasoline powered equipment or kitchen ovens to heat indoor spaces.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of possible carbon monoxide exposure should move to fresh air immediately and call 911.
10. Establish a Family Blizzard Emergency Plan Identify where household members can safely shelter if electricity or heating becomes unavailable.
Keep emergency contacts written down and locate community warming centers when municipal officials announce their availability.
Check on older neighbors, residents with disabilities and people living alone.
Monitor National Weather Service forecasts, Vermont Emergency Management announcements and New England 511 road conditions.
Avoid unnecessary travel during blizzard warnings, particularly along Interstate 89, Interstate 91 and mountain roads where blowing snow can sharply reduce visibility.
Why December Preparation Matters for Vermont Winter 2026/27 Vermont's winter weather risks vary considerably by location.
Burlington and the Champlain Valley can experience strong winds, snow and freezing precipitation. Montpelier and central Vermont face significant snowfall and difficult travel conditions, while the Green Mountains and Northeast Kingdom can encounter deeper snow accumulation, drifting snow and prolonged extreme cold.
Although this preparedness guide does not predict a specific December blizzard, severe winter storms remain a recurring seasonal threat.
Waiting until a winter storm warning is issued can leave households scrambling for heating fuel, emergency supplies and snow removal equipment.
For Vermont residents, completing these 10 preparations before December storms develop could mean the difference between safely weathering a major winter event and facing frozen plumbing, heating failures, costly property damage or dangerous emergency travel.