Severe-winter-weather

Many winter storms are accompanied by dangerously low temperatures and sometimes by strong winds, icing, sleet, snow and freezing rain. One of the primary concerns is the winter weather’s ability to knock out heat, power and communications services to your home or office, sometimes for days at a time. Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region.

The National Weather Service refers to winter storms as the “Deceptive Killers” because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. Instead, people die in traffic accidents on icy roads and of hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold. It is important to be prepared for winter weather before it strikes.

• Stay indoors during the storm.
• Walk carefully on snowy, icy walkways.
• Drive only if it is absolutely necessary. If you must drive, travel in the day; don’t travel alone; keep others informed of your schedule; stay on main roads and avoid back road shortcuts. Let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.
• Avoid overexertion while outside in extreme cold temperatures. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack —a major cause of death in the winter. 
• Keep dry, change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly.
• Frostbite and Hypothermia :
  • Signs of Frostbite: Occurs when the skin and body tissue just beneath it freezes. Loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, earlobes, face, and the tip of the nose.
    
    • What to Do: Cover exposed skin, but do not rub the affected area in an attempt to warm it up. Seek medical help immediately.
  • Signs of Hypothermia: Dangerously low body temperature. Uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion.
    
    • What to Do: If symptoms of hypothermia are detected take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95°F, seek medical attention immediately. Get the victim to a warm location. Remove wet clothing. Warm the center of the body first by wrapping the person in blankets or putting on dry clothing. Give warm, non-alcoholic beverages if the victim is conscious. Seek medical help immediately.

Winter Weather Terms

It may be helpful to learn these weather terms. A few important terms are:

• Freezing Rain Advisory: means that periods of freezing rain or freezing drizzle will cause travel difficulties.
• Winter Storm Watch: means conditions are right for ice and snow to develop.
• Ice Storm Warning: means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of ice accumulations will make travel extremely dangerous or impossible.
• Winter Storm Warning: means that an ice storm or snowstorm is entering the area.
• Winter Weather Advisory: indicates that winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and hazardous driving.