Winter weather is coming to Myrtle Beach, SC. Here’s how to survive like a Northerner

Cold weather — and the chance of 2 inches of snow at the beach — might be a bit strange for longtime locals.

In the words of Taylor Swift, “It’s like snow at the beach, weird, but it was beautiful.”

Here’s what to know about getting through the chilly week, including tips on driving in the snow, preparing a home for cold weather and how to bundle up outside.

Driving around in the cold

When asked for tips on driving in snow or ice, people gave an unanimous answer: Don’t. If you have had little to no experience driving in icy weather, it’s best to stay inside and watch the snow fall from the comfort of the couch.

“Even if you feel comfortable driving in that weather, other drivers have no idea what they’re doing,” said Johanna Darling. She’s from New Hampshire but has been in the Myrtle Beach area for around five years.

If staying home isn’t an option and the roads are snowy, drive slowly, keep a greater distance between cars and brake early. It’s also smart to haul cat litter, water, sand or anything else to weigh down the back of the car and get better traction, said Cleveland-native Gayle Moore.

As a longtime mail carrier, Moore also recommends doing a practice drive on a quiet road before heading out for the day. She typically finds somewhere empty to brake quickly and get an idea of how much control she’ll need.

If it’s icy, follow the same rules as snow but be more cautious. Avoid harsh braking, as the car will still slide around on the ice despite the stopped wheels.

Before heading out, make sure to leave an extra 20 minutes to warm up the car and defrost the windows. If you don’t have a scraper, sprinkling isopropyl alcohol on the glass, using a credit card to scrape or adding a de-icer spray can go a long way.

Never use hot water, as that can crack a windshield.

Moore said people can place towels over the windshield overnight and secure them by closing the towel in the doors. Then in the morning, instead of scraping the windows, you can easily take off the towel.

How to prep a home

As long as power stays on, it’s unlikely the cold will bring problems indoors. The bitter cold weather is supposed to last a few days, so a large grocery stock-up isn’t entirely necessary, Darling said.

“You can never be overprepared but you have to remember there are other people,” Darling said.

She recommended buying what you need to make it through the week and grabbing some non-perishables and extra water in case power goes out. Add a blanket to a hurricane kit and it will suffice as a winter storm kit.

Look over the pipes at home to make sure they’re well-insulated and not exposed to the elements. If they are, turn the faucet on to a drip to prevent the pipes from freezing and bursting.

Horry County warns against leaving space heaters plugged in overnight and heating the home with an oven or open flame as this could cause fires. Also do not run a generator inside or near an open window; the gases can be deadly.

In the event of a power outage, keep portable chargers and devices charged up. Check for outages here for Santee Cooper, here for Duke Energy or here for Horry Electric. Report outages on the website or call 888-769-7688 for Santee Cooper, 800-769-3766 for Duke Energy and 843-369-2212 for Horry Electric.

If the power is out, try to stay in one room to keep the heat in one spot. Close the curtains and layer up with blankets and sweaters to conserve heat, Now Power recommends.

Staying warm when outside

Layering is essential when going out in cold weather, although Moore said it’s really only necessary when spending time outside.

REI recommends adding three layers to maximize warmth. The first should be breathable to help wick away sweat, the second should add insulation and the third should shield the body from wind and rain.

When dealing with 20-degree weather and no winter jacket, add a second pair of pants and an extra sweatshirt to stay cozy. Don’t forget a hat, gloves and scarf. If going outside to enjoy the winter weather, a large pair of sweatpants on top of an outfit can keep you dry while in the snow or ice.

“I’m not looking forward to (the cold weather), but I will stand outside and send a picture to my friends in Pennsylvania,” said Cheryl Robertshaw-Herman, who lives in North Myrtle Beach part-time.