JMVFD - Community Education Notice for significant Winter Weather Events... Please read and pass on to family and friends. Have you ever wondered what these different warnings and advisories mean? Here is a list from National Weather Service/ NOAA website: NOAAs National Weather Service urges residents to keep abreast of local forecasts and warnings and familiarize themselves with key weather terminology. WINTER WEATHER TERMINOLOGY: Winter Weather Advisories: Issued for accumulations of snow, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and sleet which will cause significant inconveniences and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to life-threatening situations. Winter Storm Warning: Issued when hazardous winter weather in the form of heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is imminent or occurring. Winter Storm Warnings are usually issued 12 to 24 hours before the event is expected to begin. Winter Storm Watch: Alerts the public to the possibility of a blizzard, heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet. Winter Storm Watches are usually issued 12 to 48 hours before the beginning of a Winter Storm. Winter Storm Outlook: Issued prior to a Winter Storm Watch. The Outlook is given when forecasters believe winter storm conditions are possible and are usually issued 3 to 5 days in advance of a winter storm. Blizzard Warning: Issued for sustained or gusty winds of 35 mph or more, and falling or blowing snow creating visibilities at or below ¼ mile; these conditions should persist for at least three hours. Wind Chill Warning: Issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to be hazardous to life within several minutes of exposure. Wind Chill Advisory: Issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to be a significant inconvenience to life with prolonged exposure, and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to hazardous exposure. Dense Fog Advisory: Issued when fog will reduce visibility to ¼ mile or less over a widespread area. Snow Flurries: Light snow falling for short durations. No accumulation or light dusting is all that is expected. Snow Showers: Snow falling at varying intensities for brief periods of time. Some accumulation is possible. Snow Squalls: Brief, intense snow showers accompanied by strong, gusty winds. Accumulation may be significant. Snow squalls are best known in the Great Lakes region. Blowing Snow: Wind-driven snow that reduces visibility and causes significant drifting. Blowing snow may be snow that is falling and/or loose snow on the ground picked up by the wind. Sleet: Rain drops that freeze into ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet usually bounces when hitting a surface and does not stick to objects. However, it can accumulate like snow and cause a hazard to motorists. Freezing Rain Advisory: Rain that falls onto a surface with a temperature below freezing. This causes it to freeze to surfaces, such as trees, cars, and roads, forming a coating or glaze of ice. Even small accumulations of ice can cause a significant hazard. Source: goo.gl/DlOfeC ---------Important Check Lists----------------- Check List 1: Water Checklist Keep a water supply. Extreme cold can cause water pipes in your home to freeze and sometimes break. •Leave all water taps slightly open so they drip continuously. •Keep the indoor temperature warm. •Allow more heated air near pipes. Open kitchen cabinet doors under the kitchen sink. •If your pipes do freeze, do not thaw them with a torch. Thaw the pipes slowly with warm air from an electric hair dryer. •If you cannot thaw your pipes, or if the pipes have broken open, use bottled water or get water from a neighbor’s home. •Fill the bathtub or have bottled water on hand. •In an emergency, if no other water is available, snow can be melted for water. Bringing water to a rolling boil for one minute will kill most germs but won’t get rid of chemicals sometimes found in snow. ---------------------------- Check List 2: Heating Checklist •Turning on the stove for heat is not safe; have at least one of the following heat sources in case the power goes out: ◦Extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm winter coats ◦Fireplace with plenty of dry firewood or a gas log fireplace ◦Portable space heaters or kerosene heaters •Check with your local fire department to make sure that kerosene heaters are legal in your area. •Use electric space heaters with automatic shut-off switches and non-glowing elements. •Never place a space heater on top of furniture or near water. •Never leave children unattended near a space heater. •Keep heat sources at least 3 feet away from furniture and drapes. •Have the following safety equipment: ◦Chemical fire extinguisher ◦Smoke alarm in working order (Check prior to winter storm season and change batteries, if needed.) ◦Carbon monoxide detector (Check prior to winter storm season and change batteries, if needed.) •Never use an electric generator indoors, inside the garage, or near the air intake of your home because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. •Do not use the generator or appliances if they are wet. •Do not store gasoline indoors where the fumes could ignite. •Use individual heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords to plug in other appliances. Sources for above checklists: goo.gl/XRq6hG Comments / Questions- Broken Links: Email: ced.judsonvfd@gmail
Posted on: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 23:31:21 +0000
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