Winter Weather Preparedness Week 2014

Winter Weather Preparedness Week for Georgia is December 1-5, 2014. The main threats from winter weather across the Southeast stem from snow and ice storms. During the last winter season (2013-2014), the area saw extremely cold temperatures in early January, a high impact snow event in late January, and a snow and ice storm in February! It was a memorable winter weather season last year and now that we are heading back into the winter weather season, it's time to review your winter weather plans to make sure you are prepared!

Ice is one of the major winter weather problems across the Southeast. The accumulation of ice on trees and power lines can cause these items to topple. Communications can become disrupted and roadways can become blocked. Bridges and overpasses generally freeze before other surfaces. In addition, ice can form on the roadway and not even be visible to the driver - this is known as black ice. During the winter of 2010-2011 north and central Georgia witnessed such an event with the Snow and Ice Storm of January 9th and 10th.  A more recent ice event happened last winter season (2013-2014), when the February snow and ice storm brought eastern parts of the state more than 3/4" of ice! It is important to have an emergency kit in case ice makes roadways hazardous and the transportation system becomes disrupted. More information can be found in Winter Storms: The Deceptive Killers.

Types of Winter Weather

NWS Watch & Warning Program

Be Prepared Ahead of the Storm

Safety...Caught in the Storm

Winter Weather Climatology

 

Wind chill  takes into account how wind and cold feel on exposed skin rather than solely the actual temperature. As the wind increases, heat is carried away from the body at an accelerated rate, driving down the body temperature. Animals are also affected by wind chill.

Frostbite and hypothermia are two health hazards associated with cold weather. According to NOAA's Winter Storms: The Deceptive Killers handout, frostbite is damage to body tissue caused by extreme cold. A wind chill of -20°F will cause frostbite in just 30 minutes. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately! If you must wait for help, slowly rewarm the affected areas. However, if the person is also showing signs of hypothermia, warm the body core before the extremities.

In NOAA's Winter Storms: The Deceptive Killers it is discussed how hypothermia is a condition that can kill and is brought on when the body temperature drops to less than 95°F. Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. Take the person's temperature and if below 95°F, seek medical care immediately.

It is important to have a safety kit both at home and in the car that can be used not only in winter weather situations but also for other emergencies. Ready Georgia provides a list of items to include in your emergency kit. The following safety tips are provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross.

If caught outside in a winter storm:

• Try to find a shelter.
• If no shelter is available:
  • Try to stay dry.
  • Cover all exposed body parts.
  • Build a fire for heat and to attract attention.

If stuck in a vehicle during a winter storm:

• Stay in your vehicle.
• Run the motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat.
• Open the window a little for fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Turn on the dome light at night when running the engine to be visible to the rescuers.
• Tie a colored cloth, preferably red, to your antenna or door.
• After snow stops falling, raise the hood to indicate you need help.
• From time to time, move arms, legs, fingers and toes vigorously to keep blood circulating and to keep warm.

If inside during a winter storm:

• Stay inside!
• When using alternate heat from a fireplace, wood stove, space heater, etc. use fire safeguards and properly ventilate.
• If there is no heat:
  • Close off unneeded rooms.
  • Stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors.
  • Cover windows at night.
  • Eat and drink. Food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat. Keep the body replenished with fluids to prevent dehydration.
  • Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Remove layers to avoid overheating, perspiration and subsequent chill.

Outlook

Product	Conditions Expected
Hazardous Weather Outlook	Issued 3-7 days before an event for a 30% or greater chance of a hazardous winter weather event that may require a watch/warning in a later forecast. Issued as ATLHWOFFC. May issue Special Weather Statement (ATLSPSFFC) at forecaster discretion.

Watch

Product	Conditions Expected
Wind Chill Watch	Issued 12-48 hours in advance of an event for a 50% or greater chance of wind chill values of -10°F or less. Issued as ATLWSWFFC.
Winter Storm Watch	Issued 12-48 hours in advance of an event for a 50% or greater chance of conditions favorable for a significant winter storm (including heavy sleet, heavy snow, or ice storm). Winter storm conditions include 2 or more inches of snow, 1/2 inch or more of sleet, or 1/4 inch or more of freezing rain. May be issued at forecaster and emergency management discretion when significant impacts are expected but the snow, sleet, or freezing rain criteria are not necessarily met. Issued as ATLWSWFFC.
Blizzard Watch	Issued 12-48 hours before an event for a 50% or greater chance of blizzard conditions. Blizzard conditions include sustained or frequent wind gusts of 35mph or greater and considerable falling and/or blowing snow reducing visibility to less than 1/4 mile for 3 hours or more. Issued as ATLWSWFFC.

Advisory

Product	Conditions Expected
Winter Weather Advisory	Issued up to 36 hours before an event for an 80% or greater chance of a winter precipitation event (snow, freezing rain/drizzle, sleet or blowing snow) which causes inconveniences but does not meet warning criteria. Issued as ATLWSWFFC.
Freezing Rain Advisory	Issued up to 36 hours before an event for an 80% or greater chance of a freezing rain event which causes inconveniences but does not meet warning criteria. Issued as ATLWSWFFC.
Wind Chill Advisory	Issued up to 36 hours before an event for an 80% or greater chance of wind chill values less than or equal to 5°F but does not reach warning criteria (less than or equal to -10°F). Issued as ATLWSWFFC.

Warning

Product	Conditions Expected
Wind Chill Warning	Issued up to 36 hours before an event for an 80% or greater chance of wind chill values less than or equal to -10°F. Issued as ATLWSWFFC.
Winter Storm Warning	Issued up to 36 hours before an event for an 80% or greater chance of a winter weather event that meets at least one of these criteria: 2 or more inches of snow, 1/2 inch or more of sleet, or 1/4 inch or more of freezing rain. May be issued at forecaster and emergency management discretion when significant impacts are expected but the snow, sleet, or freezing rain criteria are not necessarily met. Issued as ATLWSWFFC.
Ice Storm Warning	Issued up to 36 hours before an event for an 80% or greater chance of a 1/4 inch or more of freezing rain. May be issued at forecaster and emergency management discretion when significant impacts are expected but the freezing rain criteria is not necessarily met. Issued as ATLWSWFFC.
Blizzard Warning	Issued up to 36 hours before an event for an 80% or greater chance of sustained or frequent wind gusts to 35mph or greater and considerable falling and/or blowing snow reducing visibility to less than 1/4 mile for 3 hours or more. Issued as ATLWSWFFC.