Arctic Air Mass Update: Overnight and into the early morning hours on Wednesday, temperatures will plummet through the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest as a massive surface high settles Southward from Canada. This bitterly cold air mass is of Arctic origin and it will bring with it some gusty winds which will set the stage for life threatening wind chill factors. Widespread subzero overnight lows are forecast for the Dakotas, Upper Midwest, and Great Lakes. Wind chill Advisories and Warnings are in effect for many of these same areas, with some of the coldest wind chill readings in the -25° to -45° range! Some record low temperatures are also possible. Another arctic air mass is expected to impact many of these same region by later in the week as well. If you live in the areas under some type of Wind Chill Advisory or Warning then you are advised to take extra precaution, especially if you are planning to travel. If so then make sure you have a winter survival kit as well as let someone know you are traveling. A travel survival kit would include blankets/sleeping bags, flashlight with extra batteries, first-aid kit, knife, high-calorie, non-perishable food, extra clothing to keep dry, a large empty can and plastic cover with tissues and paper towels for sanitary purposes, a can, candles and water-proof matches to melt snow for drinking water, sack of sand (or cat litter), shovel, windshield scraper and brush, tool kit, tow rope, jumper cables, water container, compass and road maps. These are just a few things you can do to ensure you are safe while traveling during winter of any kind. Remember to also dress in layers and cover your ears and mouth if out in the extreme cold. The combination of wind and low temperature in winter can be deadly. The wind chill index helps you determine when dangerous conditions develop that could lead to frostbite or hypothermia. It takes into account heat loss from the human body to its surroundings during cold and windy weather. The calculation utilizes wind speed in miles per hour and temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. For example, a temperature of -5° occurring with a 20 mph wind gives a wind chill near -30° (see wind chill calculation table below). This means that your body will lose heat at the same rate as it would if the air temperature were -30° with no wind. Wind chill values near -25° mean that frostbite is possible within 15 minutes. During this type of severe weather it is important that you also prepare your home. Stock up on heating fuel and prepare emergency heating sources, such as fireplaces, wood stoves and space heaters. Never ever burn charcoal briquettes or run a generator indoors! This could result in carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock and fire. Remember the usual emergency supplies like a flashlight and batteries, a battery powered radio, extra non perishable food and water, extra medicines, baby items, and first aid supplies. Freezing temperatures can burst water pipes in homes that lack heat or proper insulation. Wrap exposed pipes with foam or take other measure to insulate them from the cold. Keep dry, change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly. Watch for signs of frostbite such as the loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as finger, toes, ear lobes and the tip of your nose. Prepare a place indoors for pets. Move farm animals to shelters and have extra feed and water available. If it is too cold for you outdoors then it is too cold for your pets. I encourage you to check on elderly and at risk neighbors and relatives due to the cold temperatures. People who may my be less fortunate or cannot afford to pay their bills may not have the proper heating and clothing to stay warm. Also remember to make sure your children are prepared for the dangerous cold tomorrow morning as this is when the wind chills will be at their extremes. Below I have the forecast temps, wind speeds, wind gusts and wind chill factors for tomorrow morning at 5:00 AM MST or 6:00 AM CST. Use the wind chill calculation chart to see just how cold it will feel in your area. For all the latest watches, warnings and advisories just click the link below. Be safe everyone and have a wonderful night. ~Pete 1.usa.gov/11TLRsT
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 02:47:41 +0000
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