This February, winter blizzards like Storm Fern and Storm Hernando left millions of Americans subject to freezing temperatures and heavy precipitation; for some regions, it was the most snow they’d had in decades. 

The aftermath also inspired a flurry of activity: Google searches for “snow tires” were the highest they’ve been in five years, and “driving in snow” hit twice its typical winter peak. Many who felt they weren’t prepared for the driving conditions turned to another solution: rideshare. 

Indeed, on January 26 — the first workday after Storm Fern hit — the share of ride requests by new riders in heavily impacted regions was up 30%. This was particularly true in places that don’t normally receive heavy snow, like Little Rock, Arkansas, and Memphis, Tennessee, where the level of new riders was over three times its typical level compared with January 25.

The critical role that rideshare played during Storm Fern is underscored by where riders chose to go. Across heavily impacted regions, the share of rides to healthcare destinations was 16% above average; in the heavily hit region of Worcester, Massachusetts (21.4 inches total), rides were 31% above average. This indicates that riders were only leaving their homes for the most high-stakes trips. 

These statistics also point to the value of having a diverse fleet of vehicles on rideshare. When the winter gets harsh, not all drivers choose to drive. A dive into Lyft’s data from January 25 to 27 shows that drivers with trucks and SUVs were most likely to respond to the increased demand: Drivers with Ram 1500s completed 70% more rides than usual, and drivers of the Ford Expedition Max, the Chevrolet Tahoe, and the Lincoln Navigator completed over 60% more rides.

What’s more, drivers who were able to get out under those harsh conditions also benefitted — tips went up 20% in regions affected by the storm.