Do you know your winter weather terms?
Why do we talk about winter weather? According to American Red Cross, dozens of Americans die every year from exposure to cold. Add to that number, vehicle accidents and fatalities, fires due to dangerous use of heaters and other winter weather fatalities and you have a significant threat. One way you can be better prepared is to know your winter weather terms. Listening to the weather reports on television or radio is one of the best ways to be prepared this winter. Take time to learn your terms now before the first snow storm hits to better protect yourself and your family.
BASIC WINTER WEATHER TERMS
Outlook: Winter storm conditions are possible in the next two to five days. Stay tuned to local media for updates.
Watch: Winter storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. Prepare now.
Warning: Severe winter conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours. Act now.
Advisory: Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous.
ICE-RELATED TERMS
Rain: Frozen precipitation melts into rain.
Freezing Rain: Frozen precipitation melts in warm air. This rain then falls and freezes on cold surfaces such as a sheet of ice.
Sleet: Frozen precipitation melts and then refreezes into sleet before hitting the ground.
Snow: Snow falling into cold air never melts.
SNOW-RELATED TERMS
Blizzard: Winds of 35 mph or more with snow and blowing snow reducing visibility to less than ¼ mile for at least three hours.
Blowing Snow: Wind-driven snow that reduces visibility. Blowing snow may be falling snow and/or snow on the ground picked up by the wind.
Snow Squalls: Brief, intense snow showers accompanied by strong, gusty winds. Accumulation may be significant.
Snow Showers: Snow falling at varying intensities for brief periods of time. Some accumulation is possible.
Snow Flurries: Light snow falling for short durations with little or no accumulations.
COLD WEATHER TERMS
Frostbite: Damage to body tissue caused by extreme cold. A wind chill of -20 degrees F will cause frostbite in just 30 minutes. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes or the tip of the nose. If you notice any symptoms, contact a doctor immediately. If you must wait for help, slowly re-warm affected areas.
Hypothermia: This is a condition brought on when the body temperature drops to less than 95 degrees F. It can kill. For those who survive, there are likely to be lasting kidney, liver and pancreas problems. Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. If you suspect someone has hypothermia, take the person’s temperature, if it is below 95 degrees F, seek medical care immediately.
This information is intended for educational purposes only.
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