If the cold weather and the dry heat make your hands crack like old baseball gloves, you need to get some good hand cream now and prevent the inevitable sore knuckles and bleeding. Personally, I\u2019m a fan of the J.R. Watkins hand cream, but even some Vaseline will do in a pinch. \u2013 Stacy Rounds<\/p>\n
If you suffer from chronic dry scalp (raises hand), snow won\u2019t be the only flakes you see this winter. Because hair comes in many types, pinning down the ideal scalp treatment can seem impossible. Alternating between your regular shampoo\/conditioner and a dandruff shampoo (Selsun Blue Naturals offers a sloughing salicylic acid) can address the problem without overdrying. Ultimately, consulting a dermatologist or even your hairstylist can help point you in the right direction when it comes to this issue. \u2013 AW<\/p>\n
Humidifiers are your friend. \u2013 AW<\/p>\n
Winter wear<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1.20-cp-boycepark05.webp.webp\")
Skiers and snowboarders enjoy a cold day on the Boyce Park Ski slopes on Jan. 20, 2024. Credit: Mars Johnson<\/p>\n
Avid CP readers know about the so-called \u201cplay coat\u201d<\/a> covered in a 2024 essay. I\u2019m expanding that idea into footwear with the concept of play shoes, those beaten, but still functional boots or heavy shoes reserved for shoveling walks or working in the yard. One of my best purchases was a heavily discounted pair of fake sherpa-lined platform clogs I slip on to walk the dogs. This means you can still get some use out of those Uggs or work boots that are well past their prime. \u2013 AW<\/p>\n Two words \u2014 slipper booties. These cheap, comfy luxuries (sometimes called cozy socks, yoga socks, or hospital socks) come in an endless array of colors and styles, and they are so very versatile; they can be worn daily around the house or as an extra layer of warmth in boots. Search for ones with rubber grips on the bottom, which prevent slippage. \u2013 AW<\/p>\n On that note, we need to talk about shoe cleaners and waterproofers. The sidewalk salt and general moisture that come with a Pittsburgh winter can potentially destroy suede and leather, so giving them a quick spray or rubdown can help keep them from becoming stiff or stained. \u2013 AW<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got delinquent neighbors and it\u2019s slippy out, you could find yourself ass over antlers on the sidewalk or nursing a bruised tailbone. One hack here is strapping cleats to your feet. These rubber grippers with metal studs in them (Yaktrax is one popular brand) can turn even canvas shoes into rugged boots in a jiffy when there\u2019s ice on the ground. \u2013 Colin Williams<\/p>\n You know that ugly pair of gloves your mom bought you for Christmas that you can\u2019t bring yourself to throw away? Toss those in your glovebox in case you need to change a tire, fill a tire, or do other messy car stuff on the side of the road. Nothing is worse than going outside with frozen fingers to pump gas or fix a flat. \u2013 SR<\/p>\n Winterize that haus<\/p>\n Ah, gutters \u2014 you barely think about them unless they\u2019re not working properly. The absolute best thing you can do as a homeowner is clean these bad boys out annually. Rotting leaves and roof debris can quickly clog your gutters, turning them into ultra-heavy ice dams in wintertime that can damage your roof and lead to leaks. Make sure you get up on a ladder each fall or spring (or have someone do it for you). For eco-friendly types, the wet leaf debris also makes an excellent compost for your garden! \u2013 CW<\/p>\n The heat is on and working hard, so change your furnace filter. If you don\u2019t, that nasty clogged filter will restrict airflow, forcing the system to work harder. Nobody wants to pay higher energy bills. Plus, a clogged filter can lead to poor heat distribution and reduced indoor air quality that can make you sick. A dirty furnace filter can even cause a fire by causing the system to overheat, leading to components catching fire or a motor failure. In other words, change your dang filter! \u2013 SR<\/p>\n Frozen pipes can quickly turn your basement into a hockey rink if they burst. The best way to avoid this during cold snaps is by turning on both hot and cold taps to a low, steady drip \u2014 the hot water trickling through will help warm up your cold-water line, and the drip-drip-drip in both prevents ice buildup.<\/p>\n This is especially true if you have poor insulation or a sink mounted below a window on an exterior wall, as is the case in many kitchens. Another hack in this case? Wedge your kitchen cabinets open and allow heated air in. Cupboards can get very cold!<\/p>\n If your pipes do freeze, your best bet is to leave your taps open, find a hair dryer, and head straight to the basement. You\u2019ll hear water running again when it\u2019s warm enough to break through. \u2013 CW<\/p>\n Shoveling snow, something I didn\u2019t do until my late 20s, is a task that makes me question my life choices every year (you don\u2019t have to live like this), but pre-treating walks and stairs with salt before snow falls makes it a little easier. I\u2019ve done this in vain a few times before big snowstorms, but for a typical Pittsburgh-size dusting of up to a couple of inches, it seems to help.<\/p>\n Use green or pet-safe salt or sweep snow and use sand\/cat litter (won\u2019t destroy your concrete, better for pets)<\/p>\n Another unfortunate salt revelation I\u2019ve had since becoming a homeowner is that shit eats, cracks, and destroys concrete walks and steps (fun!) while also contaminating surface and groundwater. Switching to a green or pet-safe salt has spared me even more winter home maintenance, might cause less pollution (?), and is friendly to my snow-exploring cat and the neighbors\u2019 pets. To put less salt runoff into the water supply, sweep snow before salting to minimize the amount you use, and even consider sprinkling sand or cat litter for traction instead (then sweeping it up later). \u2013 Rachel Wilkinson<\/p>\n Dashing through the snow (actually, don\u2019t do that)<\/p>\n Don\u2019t drive down steep hills. Trust me on this one \u2014 avoid your steepest neighborhood hill after fresh snow. You\u2019d be shocked how quickly your tires can become skis when the roads aren\u2019t plowed. \u2013 CW<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have the luxury of having an air compressor at home, get out and give those tires a couple of extra pounds of pressure before the temperature drops. It sucks when the \u201clow tire pressure\u201d warning light comes on when it\u2019s a balmy 19 degrees out. \u2013 SR<\/p>\n For those who have the option, not driving in cold, snowy weather might seem counterintuitive, but hear me out: taking public transit is actually a luxury. As a Southerner who\u2019s innately scared of driving in the snow, and certainly scared of Pittsburgh\u2019s slippy untreated roads, I say let\u2019s call the whole thing off (winter, too, but that\u2019s another story). I know trudging through snow and scanning TrueTime in freezing temperatures sucks, but the nightmare of skidding into the five-way intersection at Forward Avenue sucks more (and don\u2019t even get me started on the annual snow tire debate raging online). Make it someone else\u2019s job \u2014 and if you need to spiritually cleanse and see your life flash before your eyes, catch a bus up to Mount Washington. \u2013 RW<\/p>\n Hear that? It\u2019s the sound of tires spinning on a sheet of ice. Keep a bag of rock salt or cat litter in your vehicle to avoid the headache of calling AAA or attempting to dig yourself out by using your windshield scraper as a mini-shovel (oh yeah, also, buy a windshield scraper). \u2013 AW<\/p>\n Prepare for a big freeze<\/p>\n To keep track of winter weather, I\u2019ll once again boost our local National Weather Service<\/a> office in Pittsburgh. They do great work year-round, but for winter, if you want detailed maps, graphics, and updates, timed snowfall predictions, and the occasional fun video of them measuring snow accumulation or ice accretion, look no further. \u2013 RW<\/p>\n Fun fact: it takes only a few minutes more work and a smidge more effort to make a big batch of soup rather than a small one. What do you do with your big batches? Freeze them. Then, when someone is sick or it\u2019s -11 degrees outside, you\u2019ll already have some lovely, warm, homemade soup to sip. \u2013 SR<\/p>\n Comfort and joy<\/p>\n Readying for winter means that all the time you would\u2019ve spent unfreezing pipes and clearing snow can now be spent enjoying some much-needed leisure. It also helps to stave off the dreaded cabin fever. Make time with the video games you ignored over the summer, the pile of books collecting dust on your shelf, or the Letterboxd watchlist that now features more movies than the Criterion Collection. Revisit an abandoned hobby or try a new one. Regardless, being inside doesn\u2019t mean being bored. \u2013 AW<\/p>\n I told my kid we were writing a Pittsburgh Winter Survival Guide, and she read through our list of suggested items. Her response was: \u201cThat\u2019s all boring adult stuff. What about something fun?\u201d To survive a Pittsburgh winter, according to her, you need a good sled \u2014 one that can fit in the trunk of your car so when you see a fun hill<\/a>, you can be prepared. \u2013 SR<\/p>\n I\u2019ve said this before, but it\u2019s worth repeating: if you need a tropical infusion during winter, head to the National Aviary. Specifically, go to the Wetlands habitat, where the hot and humid climate supports flamingos roaming amidst tall coastal trees. Phipps Conservatory also has a Tropical Forest area where you can immediately feel the temperature rise 40 degrees, shed your puffy coat, see palms, and even a waterfall. \u2013 RW<\/p>\n (Bonus: For dad-approved winter tips, check out this 2023 CP piece<\/a>.)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/010625_snowday-2-edited.webp\")
Houses in Homestead receive a blanket of snow on Jan. 6, 2024. Credit: CP Photo: Mars Johnson<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/holiday1-bus-50.webp.webp\")
A lifesize Santa doll on a Pittsburgh city bus decorated for the holidays Credit: CP Photo: Amanda Waltz<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/010625_snowday-8.webp\")
Teddy Malinowski, a student at Point Park University, throws a snowball at friends on Jan. 6, 2025. Credit: Mars Johnson<\/p>\n