You need these things in your car in case of severe winter storms

If you're ever stranded in your car because of a winter storm, being prepared can be the difference between survival and serious harm or death.

Winter storms, bad weather and sloppy road conditions can be dangerous for travelers, and "are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter," according to AAA.

"It's always important to be prepared versus get caught in a situation that turns dangerous or potentially deadly, especially in the winter season when temperatures can drop very, very cold in a short amount of time," CNN meteorologist Jennifer Gray said.

Gray speaks from experience. "I learned it the hard way - that Atlanta snow jam in 2014," she said. "I was stuck on the road for 15 hours, and I didn't have anything in my car."

READ MORE: What to do if your flight is canceled or delayed

You should minimize nonessential travel during severe winter weather, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency recommends. But if you must travel, here's how to prepare in case you encounter severe weather.

Regardless of whether a severe storm is coming, prepping your car to handle winter weather is something you should do every fall, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.