Winter Storms
Terms associated with winter storms:
- Blizzard - Winds blowing at 35 mph or higher. Due to these fast winds with snow blowing everywhere, visibility can be significantly affected.
- Cold Front - the point where dry, cold air from Canada meets warm, moist air moving north from the Gulf of Mexico and pushes away the warmer, moist air.
- Lake Effect - downwind of major bodies of water such as the Great Lakes causes the air to acquire a lot of moisture. When this moisture turns to heavy snow due to the cold air, there can be many days of lots of snow being dumped in certain areas near the lakes. Buffalo, New York is one city that has heavy snowstorms due to this “lake effect”.
- “Nor’easter” - named for the winds that blow from the northeast and affects the mid-Atlantic coast to New England, the “Nor’easter” is the classic winter storm. Nor’easters occur in the eastern United States any time between October and April. These winter storms are known for dumping huge amounts of rain and snow, with strong, hurricane-force winds.
- Wind chill - Wind chill is not the actual air temperature, but is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin by the combined effects of wind and cold. Click here for more information about determining wind chill.
- Winter Storm Watch - means that severe winter conditions, such as heavy snow and/or ice, may affect your area, but its occurrence, location and timing are still uncertain. A winter storm watch is issued to provide 12 to 36 hours notice of the possibility of severe winter weather.
- Winter Storm Warning - when 4 or more inches of snow or sleet is expected in the next 12 hours, or 6 or more inches in 24 hours, or 1/4 inch or more of ice accumulation is expected.
Snow Terms-
• Flurries - light snow that does not accumulate and falls during a short period of time.
• Showers - snow which falls at varying intensities for short periods of time. Accumulation is possible.
• Squalls - snow showers accompanied by strong, gusty winds, with possible significant accumulation. These squalls are commonly seen in the Great Lakes region.
Hazards associated with winter storms:
• Extreme cold - winter storms can cause frostbite and hypothermia (low body temperature) due to extremely cold air. This is particularly important if you are caught outside during a winter storm.
• Strong winds - can create blizzard conditions. These strong winds can topple utility poles, trees, and power lines.
• Poor visibility - blizzard conditions can cause significant problems with visibility, especially when driving. This can lead to traffic accidents. Visibility can be reduced to less than a quarter mile.
• Freezing rain - can accumulate and cause a coating of ice, especially on streets and roads. This can be a hazard to motorists.
• Sleet - rain drops that freeze can accumulate and become a hazard to motorists.
• Exhaustion and heart attacks - can occur due to overexertion when shoveling snow. People in poor health or with cardiac conditions should ask someone else to assist them with shoveling snow from their property.
• Asphyxiation/carbon monoxide poisoning - poor ventilation contributes to this hazard, especially when people use improperly operated space heaters, stoves, and other sources for heat.
• Damage to your home - pipes may freeze and burst. If your home is poorly insulated, you and your family may have problems keeping warm. Fires occur more frequently in the winter due to improperly used appliances and other items as a heating source.
• Stranding commuters - if you are at work or school and a winter storm hits, you might be stranded. Do you know what to do in this case?
• Animals and agriculture - heavy winter storms can cause harm to pets, livestock, and agriculture such as citrus crops and vegetables.
• Avalanches - in mountainous areas, heavy snows can lead to avalanches.
