I went off-roading in the snow with a professional driver — here's what I learned

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A snow storm hit several major cities in the Northeast on Thursday, which means it may be time to put that ice scraper back in your car.

Most people will do just about anything to avoid driving in the snow — and in some circumstances, that's a good thing. If conditions are particularly dire, it's best to avoid driving. However, there are some circumstances where you have to suck it up and drive.

A week ago, I drove a Chevy Cruze slalom-style in the snow up in Connecticut as part of a driving class with Chevrolet. My driving instructor, Pat Daly, shared some tips for those times where you have to drive in snow. 

1. Assess whether or not it's safe to drive. It's most dangerous to drive when the temperature ranges between 24 and 34 degrees Fahrenheit with snow or ice on the ground. That's because snow or ice will actively melt in that temperature range when cars drive over it, so your tires can't grip as easily.

2. Prepare your car for the conditions. The first thing you should do is make sure the heat inside isn't turned up too much. Although it's tempting to do that on a cold day, it will make you drowsy. Make sure you also remove snow from the roof — it's not only a safe practice, but some states will ticket you for driving with snow on the car.

3. Dress for driving, not just snow. You should take off your puffy coat when you drive so you have better steering capabilities in the event that you skid and need to react immediately. Keep in mind that big snow boots can make it difficult to gauge the pressure you're putting on the pedal, so consider bringing different shoes for driving.