Winter Weather Safety (2024)

Introduction

Wintertimeposes a wide range of threats to the American public. Whether it be exposure to the cold, vehicle accidents caused by slick roads, or fires resulting from the improper use of heaters, hundreds of people are injured or killed each year as a direct result of winter weather.

Winter storms range from a moderate snow over a few hours to a massive blizzard with blinding, wind-driven snow that lasts for several days. Some winter storms are large enough to affect several states while others affect only a single community.

High winds, freezing rain or sleet, heavy snowfall, and dangerously cold temperatures are the main hazards associated with winter storms. Impassable snow drifts often maroon people at home without utilities or other services for days after an event. Heavy snowfall and blizzards easily trap motorists in their vehicles and make walking to find help a deadly effort. Severely cold temperatures and wind chills during and after a winter storm can lead to hypothermia and kill anyone caught outside for too long. The aftermath of a winter storm can impact a community or region for days, weeks or even months, incurring steep economic costs.

Click HERE for additional winter weather preparedness information.

Terms to Know:

• Snow Squall:intense, but limited duration, periods of moderate to heavy snowfall, accompanied by gusty surface winds resulting in reduced visibilities and whiteout conditions. Rapidly falling temperatures in conjunction with the snow can cause dangerous impacts to surface transportation.
• Blizzard: Blowing and/or falling snow with winds of at least 35 mph, reducing visibilities to a quarter of a mile or less for at least three hours. Winds lofting the current snow pack and reducing visibilities without any falling snow is called a ground blizzard.
• Freezing Rain: Caused by rain falling on surfaces with a temperature below freezing. The rain freezes upon contact with the ground. Large build-ups of ice can down trees and power lines and coat roads.
• Sleet: Rain/melted snow that has begun refreezing when it reaches the ground. Sleet tends to be softer than hail and is easily compacted. Sleet can make roads slippery very quickly.
• Wind Chill: The apparent temperature the body feels when wind is factored into the equation.

The chart below shows how the different types of winter precipitation are formed.

Additional Links and Info:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Winter Weather

How the National Weather Service Keeps You Informed

The National Weather Service issues four "tiers" of alerts to inform you of incoming hazardous weather. Please take a moment to review and understand the differences between them.

Below is a break down the different alerts issued by the National Weather Service in Des Moines

Wind Chill

The wind chill temperature is not the actual air temperature, it is a “feels like” temperature when one factors in cold temperatures AND wind speeds. Increasing winds will accelerate the amount of heat lost by the body via exposed skin, driving down the body temperature. Animals are also affected by wind chill.

The only effect wind chill has on inanimate objects, such as car radiators and water pipes, is to shorten the amount of time for the object to cool. The inanimate object will not cool below the actual air temperature. For example, if the temperature outside is -5°F and the wind chill temperature is -31°F, then your car's radiator will not drop lower than -5°F.

The wind chill chart below was developed based on joint U.S.-Canadian research. The chart includes a frostbite indicator, showing the points where temperature, wind speed and exposure time will produce frostbite on humans. Each shaded area shows how long a person can be exposed before frostbite develops.

Note: Wind chill temperature is only defined for temperatures at or below 50°F and wind speeds above 3 mph. Bright sunshine may increase the wind chill temperature by 10 to 18°F.

Cold and the Body

Unusually cold temperatures are especially dangerous in areas not accustomed to them because residents are generally unprepared and may not realize the danger severe cold presents. Always remember to wear light, dry, loose fitting layers, mittens or gloves (mittens are warmer than gloves) and a hat to prevent the loss of body heat. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from frigid air.

Exposure to cold can cause frostbite and life-threatening hypothermia.

• Frostbite: Frostbite is damage to body tissue caused by extreme cold. It is most likely to affect extremities first, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, or the tip of the nose.
• Hypothermia: Hypothermia is an abnormally low body temperature and begins to occur when a person’s body temperature drops to 3°F below its normal temperature, usually below 96°F, and can be deadly.

**Always seek immediate medical treatment for both frostbite and hypothermia**

What To Look For and Actions To Take:

Information Courtesy of the Red Cross

Additional Links and Info:

• National Institutes of Health - Hypothermia

Staying Safe

Being safe in dangerous winter weather means not only to taking the appropriate steps during the storm, but also having the right supplies beforehand. If you wait to stock up on supplies until a watch or warning is issued, you run the risk of the supplies being out of stock or the store being closed.

At Home:

Beforehand

The checklist below provides some basic guidance on what to have in your house/apartment during the winter should you be trapped by the snow or lose electricity. This is not an exhaustive list.

Food and water are vital necessities during a winter storm; however, these foods should be safe to consume should power be lost. Use the checklist below to help stock your shelves.

• If permissible, a generator is a valuable asset to power key household appliances. Carefully follow all directions provided with the generator!

Additional information on assembling home disaster kits can be found on the FEMA website.

During the Event

During severe winter weather, the best advice is to stay inside your house. Plummeting temperatures and high winds that often accompany winter storms allow frostbite and hypothermia to set in quickly if you are outside. Also, road conditions will likely be very treacherous, especially if you live in rural areas. Monitor local media outlets for the latest information on the storm.

In Your Vehicle:

Beforehand

Each fall, take the time to go through your vehicle and winterize it. This can include:

During the Event

Outside:

Below are some tips for staying warm if you must venture outside in a winter storm or cold weather.

• Wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing (shirts, pants, socks, etc.) rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.
• Wear mittens, which are warmer than gloves.
• Wear a hat which will prevent the loss of body heat.
• Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
• Avoid overexertion, such as shoveling heavy snow, pushing a car, or walking in deep snow. The strain from the cold and the hard labor may cause a heart attack. Sweating could lead to a chill and hypothermia.

If you are planning to take a hunting, camping, or other extended outdoor trip in the mid fall to mid spring timeframe, pay attention to the weather in the days leading up to the trip. If severe winter weather is forecast, consider postponing the trip. If you do head out:

• Pack extra warm clothes, such as coats, hats, and mittens, as well as an additional change of regular clothes should you get wet. Many times, especially in the fall, warm summer-like weather can precede a dangerous winter storm, lulling people into a false sense of security.
• Let friends and family know your travel plans and carry a cell phone. Ask people back home to routinely check the weather and call you if conditions are expected to deteriorate.
• If you own a smartphone and have internet access at your location, you can use your phone to check on the latest weather conditions and if any watches and/or warnings are issued.
• Carry a portable radio or NOAA Weather Radio to check on weather conditions.

Additional Links and Info:

• National Institutes of Health - Stay Safe in Cold Weather
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter Weather