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Winter Storms The National Weather Service is responsible for the timely issuance of weather warnings to the public, including the approach of winter storms. Ice Storm. Freezing rain or drizzle is called an ice storm. Moisture falls in liquid form but freezes upon impact. The term "heavy" is used to indicate an ice coating sufficiently heavy to cause significant damage to trees, overhead wires, and similar objects. Ice storms are sometimes incorrectly referred to as "sleet storms." Sleet is identified as frozen raindrops (ice pellets) which bounce when hitting the ground or other objects. Sleet does not stick to trees and wires but sleet in sufficient depth does cause hazardous driving conditions. Snow. When used in a forecast, without a qualifying word such as "occasional" or "intermittent," snow means that the fall of snow is of a steady nature and will probably continue for several hours without letup. "Heavy snow warnings" are issued to the public when a fall of six inches or more is expected in a 12-hour period, or a fall of 10 inches or more is expected in a 24-hour period. Snow flurries are defined as snow falling for short durations at intermittent periods; however, snowfall during the flurries may reduce visibility to an eighth of a mile or less. Accumulations from snow flurries are generally small. Snow squalls are brief, intense falls of snow and are comparable to summer rain showers. They are accompanied by gusty surface winds. Blowing and drifting snows generally occur together and result from strong winds and falling snow or loose snow on the ground. Blowing snow is defined as snow lifted from the surface by the winds and blown about to a degree that horizontal visibility is greatly restricted. "Drifting snow" is a term used in forecasts to indicate that strong winds will blow falling snow or loose snow on the ground into significant drifts. Blizzards are the most dramatic and perilous of all winter storms, characterized by low temperatures and by strong winds bearing large amounts of snow. Most of the snow accompanying a blizzard is in the form of fine, powdery particles of snow which are whipped in such great quantities that at times visibility is only a few yards. Blizzard warnings are issued when winds with speeds of at least 35 mph are accompanied by considerable falling or blowing snow and temperatures of 20 degrees F or lower are expected to prevail for an extended period of time. Severe blizzard warnings are issued when blizzards of extreme proportions are expected and indicate winds with speeds of at least 45 mph plus a great density of falling or blowing snow and a temperature of 10 degrees F or lower. Cold Wave Warning. This term indicates an expected rapid fall in temperature within a 24 hour period which will require substantially increased protection for agricultural, industrial, commercial, and social activities. Hazardous Driving (Travelers) Warning. These are issued to indicate that falling, blowing or drifting snow, freezing rain or drizzle, sleet, or strong winds will make driving difficult. Stockmen's Warning. This alerts ranchers andfarmers that livestock will require protection from large accumulations of snow or ice, a rapid drop in temperature, or strong winds. Wind Chill Factor. Strong winds combined with low temperatures cause a very rapid cooling of exposed surfaces. Unprotected portions of the body, such as the face or hands, can chill rapidly and should be protected as much as possible from the cold wind. A very strong wind, combined with a temperature slightly below freezing, can have the same chilling effect as a temperature nearly 50 degrees F lower in a calm atmosphere. Arctic explorers and military experts have developed a term called the "wind chill factor," which states the cooling effect of various wind and temperature combinations. The Weather Service issues this information as the "wind chill index." Winter Storm Safety Rules Keep informed of winter storms by listening to the latest National Weather Service warnings and bulletins on radio and television. Check battery-powered equipment before the storm arrives. A portable radio or television set may be your only contact with the world outside the winter storm. Also check emergency cooking facilities and flashlights. Check your supply of heating fuel. Fuel carriers may not be able to move if a winter storm buries your area in snow. Check your food supply. Your supplies should include food that requires no cooking or refrigeration in case of power failure. Prevent fire hazards due to overheated coal or oil-burning stoves, fireplaces, heaters, or furnaces. Stay indoors during storms and very cold weather. If you must go out, avoid overexertion. Use moderation when shoveling snow. It can be very exhausting for anyone not in good physical condition and may bring on a heart attack--a major cause of death during and after winter storms. Dress to fit the season. If you spend much time outdoors, wear loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing in several layers; layers can be removed to prevent perspiring and subsequent chill. Outer garments should be lightly woven, water-repellent, and hooded. The hood should protect much of your face and cover your mouth to ensure warm breathing and protect your lungs from the extremely cold air. Remember that entrapped, insulating air, warmed by body heat, is the best protection against cold. Layers of protective clothing are more effective and efficient than single layers of thick clothing. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better protection than fingered gloves. Use of Automobiles During Winter Storms Your automobile can be your best friend--or worst enemy--during winter storms, depending on your preparations. Get your car "winterized" before the storm season begins. Everything on the checklist shown below should be taken care of before winter storms strike your area: Ignition system Lubrication Defroster Battery Snow tires Lights Heater Chains Wiper blades Antifreeze Brakes Fuel system Cooling system Winter-grade oil Tight exhaust system Winter Storm Car Kit Be equipped for the worst. Carry a winter storm car kit, especially if cross country travel is anticipated. The kit should contain blankets or sleeping bags, matches and candles, an empty 3-pound can with plastic cover, extra clothing, high-calorie nonperishable food, compass and road maps, knife, first aid kit, shovel, sack of sand, flashlight or signal light, windshield scraper, booster cables, two chains, fire extinguisher, and an axe. Winter travel by automobile is serious business. Keep these points in mind, especially for severe storms: a. If the storm exceeds or even tests your limitations, seek available refuge immediately. Plan your travel and select primary and alternate routes. Check latest weather information by phone or on your radio. Try to travel with others along. Travel in convoy with another vehicle, if possible. Always fill the gasoline tank before entering open country, even for a short distance. Drive carefully and defensively. If you are trapped in a vehicle by a blizzard, avoid overexertion and exposure. Exertion from attempting to push your car, shoveling heavy drifts, or performing other difficult chores during the strong winds, blinding snow, and bitter cold of a blizzard may cause a heart attack--even for persons in apparently good physical condition. Stay in your vehicle. Do not attempt to walk out of a blizzard. Disorientation comes quickly in blowing and drifting snow. Being lost in open country during a blizzard is almost certain death. You are more likely to be sheltered in your car. Don't panic. Keep fresh air in your car. Freezing wet snow and wind-driven snow can completely seal the passenger compartment. Beware of the "gentle killers"--carbon monoxide and oxygen starvation. Run the motor and heater sparingly, and only with a rear window open for ventilation. Exercise by clapping hands and moving arms and legs vigorously from time to time, and do not stay in one position for long. Turn on the dome light at night to make the vehicle visible to work crews. Keep watch. Do not permit all occupants of the car to sleep at once. Hypothermia Cold kills in two distinct steps: Exposure and Exhaustion. The moment your body begins to lose heat faster than it produces it, you are undergoing exposure. Two things happen: You voluntarily exercise to stay warm. Your body makes involuntary adjustments (such as shivering) to preserve normal temperature in the vital organs. Either response drains your energy reserves. The only way to stop the drain is to reduce the degree of exposure. The time to prevent hypothermia is during the period of exposure and gradual exhaustion. Hypothermia. If exposure continued until your energy reserves are exhausted: Cold reaches the brain depriving you of judgment and reasoning power. You will not realize this is happening. You will lose control of your hands (they will become numb and you will not be able to grasp or hold onto things.) This is hypothermia. Your internal temperature is sliding downward. Without treatment, this slide leads to stupor, collapse, and death. One of the most common types of hypothermia deaths is drowning while swimming in lakes and rivers. The swimmer is usually not aware of just how cold the water is. He tries to swim too far and the cold of the water zaps his energy, lowers his body temperature; he develops cramps and drowns. Swimming in lakes and rivers is not at all like swimming in heated swimming pools. Even on a hot summer day the water may be dangerously cold. Use extreme caution, especially when swimming in high mountain lakes or rivers or in reservoirs fed by melted snow. Duck hunters and other sportsmen who hunt or fish from boats in fall and winter must use extra caution. If they fall into the lake or river they may not even have a chance to save themselves because the shock to the body's nervous system from being suddenly plunged into ice cold water can instantly cripple and drown them before they even know what happened. Your First Line of Defense: Avoid Exposure Stay dry: When clothes get wet, they lose about 90% of their insulating value. Wool loses less; cotton, down, and synthetics lose more. Beware of the wind: A slight breeze carries heat away from bare skin much faster than still air. Wind drives cold air under and through clothing. Wind refrigerates wet clothes by evaporating moisture from the surface. Wind multiplies the problems of staying dry. Understand cold: Most hypothermia cases develop in air temperatures between 30 and 50 degrees. Most outdoorsmen simply can't believe such temperatures can be dangerous. They fatally underestimate the danger of being wet at such temperatures. 50 degree water is unbearably cold. The cold that kills is cold water running down the neck and legs, cold water held against the body by sopping clothes, cold water flushing body heat from the surface of the clothes. Don't ask, "How cold is the air?" Ask instead, "How cold is the water against my body?" Use your clothes: Put on rain gear before you get wet. Put on wool clothes before you start shivering. Your Second Line of Defense: Terminate Exposure If you cannot stay dry and warm under existing weather conditions, using the clothes you have with you, terminate exposure. Be brave enough to give up reaching the peak or getting the fish or whatever you had in mind. Get out of the wind and rain. Build a fire. Concentrate on making your camp or bivouac as secure and comfortable as possible. Never ignore shivering. Persistent or violent shivering is clear warning that you are on the verge of hypothermia Make camp! Forestall exhaustion. Make camp while you still have a reserve of energy. Allow for the fact that exposure greatly reduces your normal endurance. You may think you are doing fine when in fact your exercising is the only thing preventing your going into hypothermia. If exhaustion forces you to stop, however briefly: Your rate of body heat production instantly drops by 50% or more. Violent, incapacitating shivering may begin immediately. You may slip into hypothermia in a matter of minutes. Appoint a foul-weather leader. Make the best protected member of your party responsible for calling a halt before the least protected member becomes exhausted or goes into violent shivering. Your Third Line of Defense: Detect Hypothermia If your party is exposed to wind, cold, and wet, think hypothermia. Watch yourself and others for symptoms. Uncontrollable fits of shivering Vague, slow, slurred speech Memory lapses. Incoherence Immobile, fumbling hands Frequent stumbling. Lurching gait. Drowsiness (in this state to sleep is to die) Apparent exhaustion. Inability to get up after a rest. Your Fourth and Last Line of Defense: Treatment The victim may deny he's in trouble. Believe the symptoms, not the patient. Even mild symptoms demand immediate, drastic treatment. Get the victim out of the wind and rain. Strip off ALL wet clothes. If the patient is only mildly impaired: ul> Give him warm drinks. Get him into dry clothes and warm sleeping bag. Well wrapped, warm (not hot) rocks or canteens will hasten recovery. If the patient is semi-conscious or worse: Try to keep him awake. Give warm drinks. Leave him stripped. Put him in a sleeping bag with another person (also stripped). If you have a double bag, put the victim between two warm donors. Skin to skin contact is the most effective treatment at this point. Build a fire to warm the camp. Think Hypothermia If you are outdoors for recreation, you presumably do not intend to jeopardize your life. Hypothermia may be a new word to you but it's the ONLY word that describes the rapid, progressive mental and physical collapse accompanying the chilling of the inner core of the human body. Hypothermia is caused by exposure to cold, aggravated by wet, wind and exhaustion. It is the No. 1 killer of outdoor recreationists. Take heed of hypothermia weather. Watch carefully for warning symptoms. Choose equipment with hypothermia in mind. Think hypothermia. Back to the Preparing For Emergencies page. Back to the Preparing For Emergencies page.