“Winter Weather Preparedness Week” began Sunday and continues through Saturday.
It’s the ideal time to brush up on important words you’ll need to know before the snowflakes and winter storms begin to fall.
– Winter Weather Advisories and Winter Storm Warnings: A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving. In the event of a significant winter storm, a Winter Storm Warning would likely be posted. The warning would mean that severe winter weather conditions are occurring or imminent.. such as heavy accumulating snowfall with frequent life-threatening ice accumulations…
– When a Winter Storm Warning is issued for your area you’ll need to decide if you want to prepare for the following:
– Ice accumulation on trees could result in broken limb damage o Ice accumulation on power lines resulting in possible power outages.
– Wind Chills: These represent how low the temperature feels outside when wind and cold are combined. The actual temperature could be above or below freezing, but when the wind is blowing at 10 mph it will feel like 20 degrees. At 20 mph it will feel like 30 degrees… and so on.
– Excessive Snowfall Warning: This is issued when 6 inches of snow or more in 12 hours is expected or occurring. You’ll need to prepare for possible poor driving conditions and potential road closures in such a case and certainly if an Excessive Snowfall Warning includes your area, there would likely be a Winter Storm Warning as well.
– Blizzard Warnings: Issued along coastal areas where there is a combination of strong winds… possibly heavy snowfall… and limited visibilities. If you’re living where the blizzard warning is in effect, be sure to have an emergency kit with you at all times.
– Wind Chill Advisories: Are issued when wind chills are expected to reach -25 degrees Fahrenheit or colder for at least 4 hours. These conditions are dangerous as exposed skin can become frostbitten in just minutes so being prepared at this point has never been more important…
In closing, be sure to keep a close eye on the forecast… and of course, be mindful of the ice.
Stay safe everyone!
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