PLACER COUNTY, Calif. — For many Northern California families, Sunday’s storm collided with the final weekend of winter break, sending crowds into the Sierra at the same time travel conditions were turning dangerous.

Depending on where you live, winter weather can be brutal. Freezing temperatures, snow, and ice are more than a nuisance—they can actually ruin your belongings. If kept outside, certain items can rust, become moldy, or even crack and break.