Winter Weather Awareness

SEASONAL TERMINOLOGY:

Winter Storm Watch: Adverse winter weather IS POSSIBLE in the watch area.
Winter Storm Warning: Adverse winter weather WILL OCCUR in the warning area.
Heavy Snow: Snowfall accumulating to 6 inches or more in 12 hours; or, 8 inches or more in 24 hours.
Blizzard: The following conditions are expected to prevail for a period of three hours or longer:: Sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 MPH or greater; and,; Considerable falling and/or blowing snow (frequently reducting visibilities to leass than 1/4 mile).
Snow Advisory: 3 to 5 inches of snow is expected.
Ice Storm Warning: Heavy ice accumulations will cause extremely dangerous and damaging situations, such as icy roads and downed power lines.
Freezing Rain/Drizzle Advisory: Precipitation is light and ice does not form on all exposed services.
Wind Chill Warning: Issued when windchills range from 70 below in an especially cold winter to 50 below in a "normal" winter. At minimum, a 10 MPH wind should be occurring or forecast.
Wind Chill Advisory: Issued when wind chills are expected to be 35 below zero or lower. However, one may be issued early or late in the winter season for wind chills from 20 below to 35 below.
High Wind Warning: Issued when sustained winds of 40 MPH or greater are expected to last one hour or longer; OR, wind gusts of 58 MPH or greater.
Wind Advisory: Issued when sustained winds of 30 MPH or greater are expected to last one hour or longer; OR, wind gusts of 45 MPH or greater.

WIND CHILL:

Wind chill is based upon the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by the combined effects of the wind and cold. As the wind increases, heat is carried away from the body at an accelerated rate, driving the body temperature down. Animals are also affected by wind cill. Inanimate objects, such as vehicles are not.
Example: A day with 20 degree temperatures and winds at 20 MPH will ahve the same affect on the body as a calm day at -10 degrees, or a -5 degree day with a 5 MPH wind.

WHEN CAUGHT IN A WINTER STORM:

OUTSIDE:

Find shelter and stay dry.
Cover all exposed parts of the body.
If no shelter is nearby, prepare a wind break or snow cave for protection.
Build a fire for heat.
Do not eat as snow as it will lower your body temperature.

IN A VEHICLE:

STAY in your vehicle.
Run the motor for ten minutes every hour, but open the windows a little to allow for proper ventilation. Make sure the exhaust pipe is free of snow.
Make yourself visible to the rescuers by turning on the dome light at night when running the engine. Also, tie a red or other bright colored cloth to the antenna or door.
Exercise from time to time to keep the blood circulating and to keep warm.

AT HOME:

Stay inside. Make sure you provide proper ventilation when using alternate heat sources.
If you have no heat, close off unneeded rooms and place towels under the doors.
Eat to supply heat and drink to avoid dehydration.
Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing.

VEHICLE WINTER SURVIVAL KIT:

The following items should be included in your vehicle's winter weather survival kit:

Shovel
A can of sand or kitty litter.
Tire chains.
Flashlight with extra batteries.
Candles and matches.
An empty coffee can to be used to burn the candles for heat or to melt the snow for water.
Caps, mittens, and boots for everyone.
Sleeping bag or blanket for everyone.
Non-perishable food, such as granola bars or dried fruit.
Deck of playing cards. Paper and pencil.
Booster cables.
Battery-operated battery with extra batteries.
First aid kit.
Cellular phone with fully charged batteries.