Source: NOAA National Weather Service
(https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold-wind-chill-chart)
Winter Storms
Severe winter storms can have a tremendous impact on the health and safety of individuals, animals, and communities.
Cold temperatures, snow, ice, blizzard conditions with high winds and dangerous wind chills can all occur, leading to personal injury, frostbite, hypothermia, and possibly death. Accumulations of snow and ice can result in road closures or blockages — isolating homes and farms for days. During severe storms the heavy snow burden may caue roofs to collapse, or knock down trees and power lines, resulting in power outages and susequent loss of heat in homes. Fires or carbon monoxide poisoning can occur with the misuse of generators or gas-powered heaters.
Animals are also at risk during severe winter weather and are subject to wind chill factors, hypothermia and frostbite. Deaths can also occur due to dehydration, when water sources freeze and become unavailable. Winter conditions make getting food and water to animals more difficult. Unprotected livestock may be lost.
Businesses must also make preparations for winter storm situations. Protecting employees will be necessary to ensure their safety. Employees that must work outdoors during extreme situations should be provided the necessary education on risk and measures to stay safe.
The following resources will help you prepare your family, home and farm, animals and business for winter storm situations.
Winter Storm Preparedness Factsheets
Know the Terminology
Find a full listing of winter related warnings and terminology from the National Weather Service.Winter Storm Watch: Potential (possible) significant and hazardous winter weather within 48 hours. Be Prepared!
Blizzard Warning: Blizzard conditions (snow and/or blowing snow reducing visibiity to 1/4 mile or less for 3 hours or longer AND sustained winds of 35 mph or greater) occurring or expected within the next 12-18 hours.Take Action!
Winter Storm Warning: Significant combination of hazardous winter weather is occurring or imminent. Includes 5 or more inches of show/sleet withing 12-hour period, or 7 inches within 24-hour period AND/OR enought ice accumulation to cause damage to trees or powerlines AND/OR a life threatening or damagind combination of snow and/or ice with wind. Be Prepared!
Wind Chill Advisory: Wind chills of -5F to -19F are expected east of the Blue Ridge Mountains; -10 to -24 west of Blue Ridge Mountains. Be Prepared!
Wind Chill Warning: Wind chills of -20F or lower expected east of the Blue Ridge Mountains; -25F or lower west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Take Action!
Find winter weather forecasts for your area.
Website with winter weather forecasts, including probability maps.
National Weather Service
Learn about Winter Storms and Their Impact
Website discussing dangers of winter weather to human health.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Website of resources for reducing illness and injury during severe winter conditions.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Website with information on what to do before, during and after a winter storm as well as information on possible flooding.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Website discussing the dangers of winter storms.
National Weather Service and American Red Cross
Information on wind chill temperature and what the risks are for you.
National Weather Service (NOAA NWS)
General information on understand the vocabulary associated with winter weather and preparing for a storm.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Website with a checklist of what you should have on hand to be prepared for a blizzard.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Website discussing dangers of winter weather to human health.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Website of resources for reducing illness and injury during severe winter conditions.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Website with information on what to do before, during and after a winter storm as well as information on possible flooding.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Website discussing the dangers of winter storms.
National Weather Service and American Red Cross