Winter Weather Survival Quiz

By: Ashley Ehman
Estimated Completion Time
6 min
Winter Weather Survival Quiz
Image: Paulo Amorim / Moment / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Whether we like it or not, winter always has a way of sneaking back in to our lives. Some people experience its wrath firsthand through blustering winds and extreme blizzards that can knock entire cities out of commission. Other people simply deal with the inconveniences Old Man Winter can cause by way of flight delays during storms or experiencing the chilled climate during family visits around the holidays. 

Regardless of how close you and below-zero temperatures are, there's always something to be said about people who know how to survive emergencies during these harsh months of the year. If your car breaks down on a back road during a snowstorm, do you know how to keep warm? Did you know there's a number of items you should keep in your car just for moments like that? What if the heater for your home malfunctions? Do you know how to keep your pipes from freezing? 

If you consider yourself to be the Bear Grylls of winter weather, then take this test to prove your knowledge! Even if you're not well-versed in winter preparedness, perhaps you'll learn a thing or two from these questions. Whatever you do, don't be left out in the cold!

Q2 - Prep
JulNichols / Moment / Getty Images
What is the best thing a person can do to be ready for winter weather emergencies?
Research recent news articles
Ask friends what they do
Nothing
Prepare
Q1 - Wind Chill
Patrick Lienin / Moment / Getty Images
What term is given to the lowering of the temperature due to the wind?
Air temperature
Humidity
Wind chill
Precipitation
Q14 - slide
ParkerDeen / E+ / Getty Images
What is the term given to a vehicle that loses traction on its rear wheels?
Side-swiping
Salmon spawning
Fishtailing
Zig-zagging

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Q32 - Exhaust
Massimo Calmonte / Moment / Getty Images
Why is it important to make sure there isn't any snow or ice blocking the tailpipe of your car?
So your car's engine doesn't become overworked
In order to avoid damaging your exhaust system
To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
To improve gas mileage
Q28 - generator
Kypros / Moment / Getty Images
If your area is put under a Winter Storm Warning, which of the following should you NOT do?
Check on your neighbors
Turn on the weather radio/local news station
Stay off the roads
Bring your generator into the main living space
Q9 - bridge
Rudy Malmquist / Moment / Getty Images
Why do bridges tend to become icy before the rest of the road?
The metallic underside of the bridge causes it to freeze
They have excess moisture
The material they're made of makes them easier to freeze
Cold air circulates above and below

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Q30 - help
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It is best to hang what color of fabric on your car's antennae when you need help?
Black
Red
Green
White
Q4 - Sub Zero
Tim Bieber / Photodisc / Getty Images
What is the leading killer in winter emergencies?
Starvation
Dehydration
Hypothermia
Frostbite
Q5 - Snow Sun
© Marco Bottigelli / Moment / Getty Images
Which of the following is not a main focus of concern in cold weather?
Exposure to the elements
The wind chill
Whether a person is wet or not
The amount of sunlight one receives

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Q35 - kit
schfer / E+ / Getty Images
Which of the following things should be done after a storm?
Resupply your emergency kits
Discuss what can be done better in the future
Talk to your neighbors and friends about what they did
All of the above
Q8 - radiator
Image Source / Image Source / Getty Images
Which of the following should you NOT do if your home loses heat?
Have a backup heating source
Open the windows so that the heater will trigger on
Turn the faucets on so that they're dripping
Shrink your living space
Q20 - Snow blind
Arand / E+ / Getty Images
What is snow blindness?
When you can't see enough to drive
When you go blind due to the light reflecting off of the snow
When you can't decipher whether something is snow or just white in color
The term given to those who become confused due to hypothermia

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Q22 - rescue
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What is the biggest threat to your survival if you become buried in snow?
Suffocation
Hypothermia
Body being crushed
Concussion
Q34 - frostbite
Darren Boucher / Moment / Getty Images
If someone is afflicted with frostbite, what should you NOT do in an attempt to warm them up?
Take them to a warmer location
Cover up the area with blankets
Rub the area to create heat
Remove any wet clothing
Q6 - Cold Hands
sestovic / E+ / Getty Images
When body tissue becomes damaged from freezing, this is known as what?
Decomposition
Hypothermia
Frostbite
Extremity forfeiture

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Q7 - Snow Toes
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Frostbite typically impacts body parts that fall into which group first?
The ones near your heart
The ones furthest from your heart
Body parts that are smaller in size
Body parts that aren't covered in hair
Q19 - phone
Milan_Jovic / E+ / Getty Images
Due to poor performance in cold conditions, what item should you keep close to your skin during winter emergencies?
A lantern
A Mylar blanket
A cell phone
Your key fob
Q31 - shoveling
Kathleen Finlay / Image Source / Getty Images
Heart attacks are more common in the winter months because of what reason?
Blood is thicker and harder to pump
People become more easily exerted in the cold
People are getting less exercise
The added stress of winter driving

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Q15 - Blizzard
Stefanie Hoepner / Moment / Getty Images
A storm that has limited visibility for an extended amount of time would be given what title?
Winter Weather Watch
Winter Weather Warning
Blizzard Watch
Blizzard Warning
Q17 - stuck
freemixer / E+ / Getty Images
If you find your vehicle stuck in the snow, which of the following should you NOT do?
Turn your wheels entirely to one side or another
Turn off traction control
Let some air out of your tires
Let your wheels spin
Q12 - layers
Orbon Alija / E+ / Getty Images
Why is it important to dress in layers during the cold months?
The layers provide insulation.
The layers keep your heat in your body.
The layers trap the heat that is trying to escape your body in the air pockets between the layers.
It is harder for the cold to penetrate multiple layers.

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Q24 - water
Image Source / Image Source / Getty Images
Why is it important to store your water upside down in cold weather?
This allows you to see any questionable sediment
This prevents the bottle from cracking
This makes it so the valve and lid will work even if the water is frozen
The air bubbles that collect at the top will be warmer
Q3 - Layers
ThomasVogel / E+ / Getty Images
Why is it recommended to wear layers in cold weather?
It keeps moisture away from your body.
The extra layers prevent the wind from penetrating your inner warmth.
It's easier to manage your temperature to stay comfortable.
This idea is a myth, since layering isn't actually useful.
Q18 - hypothermia
CasarsaGuru / E+ / Getty Images
How many stages does hypothermia have?
Two
Three
Four
Five

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Q21 - post hole
Ross Woodhall / Cultura / Getty Images
While walking in the snow, when someone takes a step and immediately sinks, this is known as what?
Sink stepping
Pocket walking
Anchoring
Post-holing
Q10 - storn plow
VisualCommunications / E+ / Getty Images
What winter weather phenomenon is described as "severe winter conditions that have or will begin within a 24 hour period"?
Winter Storm Watch
Winter Storm Warning
Blizzard Watch
Blizzard Warning
Q23 - buried
jtyler / E+ / Getty Images
In order to determine which direction is up when buried in a snow pile, what should a person do?
Dig in the direction their head is facing
Listen for birds and dig towards the sound
Watch for light peaking through the snow
Spit

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Q13 - skid
jeffstrauss / E+ / Getty Images
How should you react if your car loses control on some snow?
Turn your wheels in the direction you want to go
Quickly hit the brakes and brace yourself
Slowly push down on the brakes, with the steering wheel centered
Turn your wheels in the opposite direction you want to go
Q29 - blankets
Klaus Ditte / Photodisc / Getty Images
Which of the following does not need to be a part of your vehicle's winter weather emergency kit?
Blankets
Newspapers
Kitty litter
A compass
Q33 - House
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Home insurance usually doesn't cover which threat after a winter storm?
Damage caused by ice dams on the roof
Flooding in the basement from melting snow
Windows cracked from severe cold
Items destroyed during the storm

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Q25 - Eat Snow
KMM Productions / Cultura / Getty Images
Eating snow for hydration can actually be detrimental to one's survival. Why is that?
Snow has dehydrating qualities
Snow can be filled with harmful chemicals
Your body processes snow too efficiently
Snow doesn't aid in hydration
Q11 - Frozen Man
cmannphoto / E+ / Getty images
Hypothermia starts to happen when your body's temperature falls below what?
97 degrees
96 degrees
95 degrees
94 degrees
Q16 - Blizzard Watch
Francesca Russell / Moment / Getty Images
If there is a Winter Storm Outlook in place, a winter storm is expected in which time range?
One to two days
Two to five days
Within a week
Within 10 days

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Q26 - thermals
LOUISE BEAUMONT / Moment / Getty Images
What is the best kind of material to have as your base layer?
Polyester or nylon
Wool
Cotton
Spandex
Q27 - Deer
Barbara Friedman / Moment / Getty Images
In animals that live outdoors, which of the following is the leading cause of death during the winter?
Inaccessible shelter
Frozen water source
Starvation
Hypothermia