Winter storms tend to form where there are great contrasts in temperature. During the winter months the lee side of the Rockies and the western Gulf coast provide the battleground for these air masses. Most of the low pressure systems that become the large winter storms in the central U. Sometimes weather systems will move in off of the Pacific, weaken as they cross the western U.
Favored areas for development include the Province of Alberta, Canada, just east of the Canadian Rockies; Colorado and the surrounding region; and the Texas Gulf Coast. Once the storms have developed, winds in the upper atmosphere determine exactly where and how fast they move. Lake-effect snow results when cold Arctic air moves across the warmer waters of the lakes primarily the Great Lakes in the central U. Lake-effect snows tend to occur earlier in the winter when the contrast between the air and water temperatures is greater, before the water cools and ice begins to form on the lakes.
As the cold air moves over the warmer lake water it picks up heat and water vapor. The rising air forms clouds, and these snow-producing clouds then move over land. Lake-effect snows tend to be the most extreme when the difference between the air temperature and lake temperature is high, and then winds are such that the cold air moves over as much water as possible..
The heaviest lake-effect snow typically falls only 5 to 10 miles inland, but can extend to as much as 50 miles.
Snow can accumulate at rates as high as 2 feet a day and snow can continue for several days. High winds can result in dangerous whiteout conditions. The National Weather Service uses specific winter weather terms to ensure that people know what to expect with winter weather. A winter storm watch is issued to provide 12 to 36 hour notice of the possibility of severe winter weather.
A winter storm watch is intended to provide enough lead time so those who need to set plans in motion can do so. Winter Weather Advisories inform you that winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences that may be hazardous.
If caution is exercised, advisory situations should not become life-threatening. A Blizzard Warning means that the following conditions are expected to prevail for a period of 3 hours or longer:.
People who are taking certain medications, who have certain medical conditions, or who have been drinking alcohol also are at increased risk for hypothermia. Winter flooding can result from winter storms or long periods of cold temperatures, and it can cause significant damage and loss of life.
The winds of intense winter storms can cause widespread tidal flooding and severe beach erosion along coastal areas. Long cold spells can cause rivers and lakes to freeze so that when a rise in the water level or a thaw breaks the ice into large chunks, the chunks become jammed at man-made and natural obstructions.
These ice jams can act as dams, resulting in severe flooding. In addition, the sudden thawing of a heavy snow pack can often lead to flooding.
Winter storms are considered deceptive killers because most winter storm deaths are related only indirectly to the storms.
Overall, most winter storm deaths result from vehicle or other transportation accidents caused by ice and snow. You should avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow, or dense fog. These are serious conditions that are often underestimated, and they make driving—and even walking outside—very hazardous. Exhaustion and heart attacks brought on by overexertion are two other common causes of deaths related to winter storms.
Tasks such as shoveling snow, pushing a vehicle, or even walking in heavy snow can cause a heart attack, particularly in people who are older or not used to high levels of physical activity. Before tackling strenuous tasks in cold temperatures, you should carefully consider your physical condition, the weather factors, and the nature of the task. If you are not sure how much you can safely do, you should avoid all heavy work in cold temperatures.
You should also dress to protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia. When you are outside in cold temperatures, wear warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in several layers. If you get too warm, you can remove one or more layers and if you get too cold you can add layers, so you can avoid the sweat-chills cycle.
Your outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent, and have a hood. Wear a hat. Half of your body heat can be lost from your head. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves. Try to stay dry. If it is extremely cold, cover your mouth to protect your lungs.
If, during severe cold, your home loses power or heat, go to a designated public shelter. For information on designated shelters, contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter. Home fires occur more frequently in the winter because people do not take the proper safety precautions when using alternative heating sources.
Be sure all heating sources are installed according to local codes and permit requirements. Use only space heaters approved by an independent testing laboratory. Fire during winter storms is exceptionally dangerous because conditions may make it difficult for firefighters to get to the fire, and the water needed to fight the fire may be frozen. In addition, every winter people are killed by carbon monoxide CO emitted by fuels they are using to heat their homes.
Never operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in any closed room or where people are sleeping. CO poisoning from fuel-burning appliances kills people each year in the United States. Never use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens, or clothes dryers to heat your home. Do not use charcoal grills indoors or in attached garages. Never use a portable generator in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, including in your home, or in a garage, basement, crawl space, or other partially enclosed area, even with ventilation.
Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO buildup. Locate a portable generator outdoors and away from doors, windows, and vents that could allow CO to come indoors.
Portable generators can produce high levels of deadly CO very quickly. In addition to producing toxic engine exhaust, portable generators can cause electric shock or electrocution and fire. Local radio or television stations or NOAA Weather Radio are the best sources of information about winter weather conditions. NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts warnings, watches, forecasts, and other hazard information 24 hours a day over more than stations in the 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.
Virgin Islands, and the U. Pacific territories. This feature automatically alerts you when important information about winter weather and other hazards is issued for your area.
Stay tuned to local media for updates. People in a watch area should review their winter storm plans Family Disaster Plan, Disaster Supplies Kit and keep informed about weather conditions.
People in a warning area should take precautions immediately. A Blizzard WARNING means sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 miles 56 kilometers per hour or greater and considerable falling or blowing snow that reduces visibility to less than a quarter mile 0.
If you are cautious, these situations should not be life threatening. Carbon Monoxide Alarm — Every home should have properly installed and maintained carbon monoxide CO alarms that meet current safety standards.
Exposure to high levels of CO can cause death. The initial symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu and include dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea, and irregular breathing. Talk with members of your household about what to do if a winter storm watch or warning is issued.
Discussing winter storms ahead of time helps reduce fear and helps everyone know how to respond during a winter storm. Bring your companion animals inside and ensure that your horses and livestock have blankets if appropriate and unimpeded access to shelter, food, and non-frozen water. The permit has already been paid for with your safety and security fees. If you are requesting a replacement permit there is a small charge. UCA dedicates itself to academic vitality, integrity, and diversity.
Search UCA. Why talk about winter storms? What are winter storms? What damages can snow cause, and what are the different kinds of snow? Various intensities of snow are defined differently: Blizzard describes winds of 35 miles 56 kilometers per hour or more with snow and blowing snow that reduce visibility to less than one-quarter mile 0. Blowing snow describes wind-driven snow that reduces visibility.
Snow squall describes a brief, intense snow shower accompanied by strong, gusty winds. Accumulation from snow squalls can be significant. Snow shower describes snow that falls at varying intensities for short durations withlittle or no accumulation. What damages can ice cause, and what are the different kinds of ice? Ice forms in different ways: Sleet is rain that freezes into ice pellets before it reaches the ground. Sleet usually bounces when hitting a surface and does not stick to objects; however, it can accumulate like snow and cause roads and walkways to become hazardous.
Freezing rain also known as an ice storm is rain that falls onto a surface that has a temperature below freezing. The cold surface causes the rain to freeze so the surfaces—trees, utility wires, vehicles, and roads—become glazed with ice. Even small accumulations of ice can cause significant hazards to people—especially pedestrians and motorists—and property.
What damages can severe cold cause? What is winter flooding? How can I protect myself in winter storms? In addition to producing toxic engine exhaust, portable generators can cause electric shock or electrocution and fire What is the best source of information about winter weather? Keep cold-weather clothing, supplies, and equipment ready. Inspect heating equipment and have it serviced as needed.
If you live in an area where severe winter weather is possible, you should: Talk with members of your household about what to do if a winter storm watch or warning is issued. Install smoke alarms. For new homes, interconnected smoke alarms are required on every level of the home, outside each sleeping area and inside each bedroom.
Although this approach is ideal for all homes, as a minimum, existing homes should have smoke alarms on every level and outside each sleeping area.
Itis especially important to have one near sleeping areas. Get training. Take an American Red Cross first aid course to learn how to treat exposure to the cold, frostbite, and hypothermia.
Service snow removal equipment before the winter storm season and maintain it in good working order. Keep a supply of non-clumping kitty litter to make walkways and steps less slippery. Kitty litter temporarily improves traction on an icy surface. Rock salt melts ice on walkways, but it can damage vegetation and concrete. You may find other, less damaging, ice-melting products at building supplies stores. Keep handy a warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat, water-resistant boots, and extra blankets and warm clothing for each member of the household.
Make sure your home heating sources are installed according to local codes and permit requirements and are clean and in working order. Many home fires are started by poorly maintained furnaces or stoves, cracked or rusted furnace parts, or chimneys with creosote buildup. Be sure all portable and fixed electric space heaters have been certified by an independent testing laboratory. Keep blankets, clothing, curtains, furniture, and anything that could get hot and catch fire at least three feet away from all heat sources.
Plug heaters directly into the wall socket rather than using an extension cord and unplug them when they are not in use. Use kerosene heaters only if permitted by law in your area. Refuel kerosene heaters outdoors only after they have cooled. Kerosene has a low flash point. If mistakenly dripped on hot surfaces, it can cause fires. Do not substitute gasoline for kerosene in the heater.
Make sure the area is ventilated properly. Have chimneys and wood stoves inspected annually and cleaned if necessary. Chimneys and wood stoves build up creosote, which is the residue left behind by burning wood. During thundersnow events, heavy snowfall is to be expected. In some cases, two inches per hour is possible. What is sleet? Sleet is just rain drops that freeze into ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet usually bounces when hitting a surface and does not stick to objects.
However, it can accumulate like snow and cause a hazard to motorists. What is freezing rain? Freezing rain is just rain that falls onto a surface with a temperature below freezing. This causes it to freeze to surfaces, such as trees, cars, and roads, forming a coating or glaze of ice. Even small accumulations of ice can cause a significant hazard. What is an ice storm? An ice storm is a type of winter storm caused by freezing rain. The U.
National Weather Service defines an ice storm as a storm which results in the accumulation of at least 0. How do ice storms form? Ice storms form when a layer of warm air is between two layers of cold air. Frozen precipitation melts while falling into the warm air layer, and then proceeds to refreeze in the cold layer above the ground. This creates freezing rain or a glaze of ice. What is frost? Frost is white ice crystals that form on a surface, like the ground or leaves of a plant.
Frost is created when the air temperature drops below freezing and the water vapor in the air freezes into ice crystals. What is a frost quake? Frost quakes are non-tectonic seismic events, meaning they are not caused by the shifting of the Earth's tectonic plates.
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