Be Winter Weather Aware

Now is the time to prepare for our winter weather season.

Data can be found at NSSL NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory.

www.ready.gov

Dense Fog Advisory: Issued when fog will reduce visibility to ¼ mile or less over a widespread area.

Snow Flurries: Light snow falling for short durations. No accumulation or light dusting is all that is expected.

Snow Showers: Snow falling at varying intensities for brief periods of time. Some accumulation is possible.

Blowing Snow: Wind-driven snow that reduces visibility and causes significant drifting. Blowing snow may be snow that is falling and/or loose snow on the ground picked up by the wind.

Wind Chill Advisory: Issued for a wind chill situation that could cause significant inconveniences, but do not meet warning criteria. Criteria for issuing Windchill Warnings and Advisories are set locally.

Wind Chill Warning: Issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to be hazardous to life within several minutes of exposure.

Winter Weather Advisories: Issued for accumulations of snow, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and sleet which will cause significant inconveniences and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to life-threatening situations.

Winter Storm Outlook: Issued prior to a Winter Storm Watch. The Outlook is given when forecasters believe winter storm conditions are possible and are usually issued 3 to 5 days in advance of a winter storm.

Winter Storm Watch: Issued 12-48 hours in advance of the onset of severe winter conditions. The watch may or may not be upgraded to a winter storm warning, depending on how the weather system moves or how it is developing

Winter Storm Warning: Issued when a combination of hazardous winter weather in the form of heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is imminent or occurring. Winter Storm Warnings are usually issued 12 to 24 hours before the event is expected to begin.

Keep Pipes from Freezing- Make sure to allow faucets to drip during extreme cold temperatures.

Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup.

Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power- Water, canned food, extra blankets, flashlights and extra batteries.

Pick up any prescriptions for all family members.

Keep a full tank of gas.

Make sure you have supplies for your pets. Bring pets inside when possible.

Have phones charged and a battery operated radio on hand.

Keep an emergency kit in your car-jumper cables, ice scraper, car cell phone charger, extra set of warm clothes, blanket.

Stay off roads.

Stay indoors and dress warmly.

Limit time outdoors.

Prepare for power outages.

Use generators outside only.

Pay attention to emergency information and alerts.

Look for signs of hypothermia and frostbite.

Check on neighbors.