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Extreme Winter Storms - Freezing Weather |
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 Blocked roads and downed power lines can cause isolation and severe traffic problems.- Types of Winter Storm Weather –
- Freezing rain – rain that freezes when it hits the ground, creating a coating of
ice on roads and walkways as well as everything else.
- Sleet – rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes
roads to freeze and become slippery.
- Blizzard – falling or blowing snow accompanied by winds 35 miles per hour or more with
less than 500 feet of visibility.
- Types of Winter Storm Warnings:
- Winter Weather Advisory – cold, ice and snow are expected
- Winter Storm Watch – severe winter weather, such as heavy snow or ice, is possible within the next day or two.
- Winter Storm Warning – severe winter conditions have begun or are about to begin.
- Blizzard Warning – heavy snow and strong winds will produce a blinding snow, near
zero visibility, deep drifts, and life-threatening wind chill.
- Frost/Freeze Warning – below freezing temperatures are expected.
- In the event of a furnace failure, do the following to maintain minimum heat levels:
- Use an alternate heat source
- Close off rooms which are not absolutely needed
- Hang blankets over windows at night (let sunshine in during the day)
- Stuff cracks around doors with rugs, newspapers, towels, or other such materials.
- Keep pipes from freezing: Wrap the pipes in insulation made especially for water pipes,
or in layers of old newspaper, lapping the ends and securing them around the pipes. Cover the
newspaper with plastic to keep out moisture. When it is extremely cold and there is real danger
of freezing (temperatures below 32 degrees F day and night for more than 24 hours), let the faucet
that is furthest from the water inlet to the house drip a little. Although this wastes water, it
may prevent freezing damage. Know where the valve for shutting off the water coming into the house
or apartment is located. You may as a last resort have to shut off this main valve and drain all the
pipes to keep them from freezing and bursting. If you have a sink against an exterior wall, leave the
cabinet doors open beneath the sink to let in warm air during times of extreme cold. Also, shut off
the water inlet valve to your sprinkler system and rain the system, if possible, to prevent broken
pipes in the system.
- If the pipes freeze despite efforts to prevent it, open faucets wide to allow for expansion
of the frozen water. Remove any newspaper that may be around the pipe. Wrap pipes with rags and
pour hot water over the rages, with the faucets still open.
- If you go outdoors, dress appropriately:
- wear several layers of loose fitting, light-weight, warm clothing. The outer garments should
be tightly woven and water repellent to guard against wind. Even though the temperature is warm,
the wind factor may be several degrees lower.
- Mittens, which allow your fingers to be close together, will keep your hands warmer than gloves.
- Wear a hat. Most body heat is lost through the top of the head.
- Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs from the cold air.
- Watch for signs of frostbite: a loss of feeling and a white, pale, waxy or flushed
appearance in fingers, toes, ear lobes, or the tip of the nose.
- Watch for signs of hypothermia: uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation,
incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and exhaustion.
- Do not do things that can make you colder such as:
- Eating snow
- Drinking cold water
- Physical exercise that will make you sweat
- Sitting, sleeping, or laying on cold objects like: snow, metal, cement or rocks.
- Add extra Vitamin C and Iron to your diet.
Wind Chill Factor Chart
What the temperature feels like when the wind is blowing.
Temperature |
Wind Speed |
| 10 |
20 |
30 |
| 40 |
28 |
18 |
13 |
| 30 |
16 |
4 |
-2 |
| 20 |
4 |
-10 |
-18 |
| 10 |
-9 |
-25 |
-38 |
| 0 |
-21 |
-39 |
-48 |
| -10 |
-33 |
-53 |
-63 |
| -20 |
-46 |
-67 |
-79 |
| -30 |
-58 |
-82 |
-94 |
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