When the days are still long and warm, it can feel like winter will never come. Don't let an early cold snap or snow squall be the thing that sneaks up and catches you totally off guard.

Winterizing your house is a job best done while it's still nice out, and you can take care of many home maintenance tasks now to get a jump on things. When winter does come knocking at your Minnesota door, you'll be glad you did! Like they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Here are four important jobs to do to get a head start on your winter checklist:

Check Exterior Lighting

Take a walk around your house at night while it's still balmy and test all of your lights. Make repairs and replace bulbs now, while you still have plenty hours of daylight left after work. During the long nights of winter, you'll be able to see exactly where you're going, and your Minneapolis area house will look welcoming to your guests. 

Upgrade Your Gutters

Pull on some work gloves, grab a ladder and scoop the gunk out of your gutters. They'll only get worse if you wait until fall for all those leaves to come down, and serious clogs can lead to major water damage if left unchecked. Consider adding leaf guards now, and you'll be able to relax come October.

Replace Worn Weatherstripping

Keep out icy drafts by making sure your windows and doors are in good shape now. If your weatherstripping is cracked or peeling away, remove it and take it to the hardware store to buy more that matches. It's much easier to replace weatherstripping with your doors and windows wide open when it's nice outside!  

Consider Adding Insulation

Late summer and early fall can be a down time for contractors, and you might be able to sneak in an insulation job before everyone else thinks of it. Adding insulation will significantly lower your heating bills, and many states offer rebates and incentives to retrofit houses and make them more snug.

With these home maintenance projects completed, you'll be able to enjoy your autumn without a care in the world!