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Even though winter weather is still likely several weeks away, it’s not too soon to start getting ready for it. Today is Winter Weather Awareness Day, and emergency and weather officials want you to be prepared for what’s ahead. KSMU’s Michele Skalicky has more…
Last week it was hard to imagine winter weather happening anytime soon. This week, though, it isn’t so difficult. It’s almost as if the National Weather Service ordered today’s weather for Winter Weather Awareness Day.Meteorologist Steve Runnels says area emergency management officials, his office and local schools want to remind people that winter’s coming…
"On average, we would anticipate a winter in which we would get about 20 inches of snow. We'll certainly see some periods where we'd get down in the single digits, and that's probably what we're going to anticipate--just normal weather. Just be aware that normal weather is abnormal."
He says besides snow and ice, we might even see some thunderstorms and flash flooding this winter—it’s just part of living in the Ozarks.According to Runnels, your motto should be like the Girl Scouts’: Be Prepared. If you have to travel during a winter weather warning, take a snow shovel and extra clothing and blankets and let people know where you’re going.If a winter storm is coming, and you know you might need to stay at home for a few days, buy extra groceries.Runnels says, if at all possible, plan to stay home during winter storms…
"When we hear of a winter storm warning we don't normally equate it to the same dangers associated with a tornado warning, but, ultimately, anytime the National Weather Service issues a warning, it is an indication that potentially life or property threats exist. When you hear of a winter storm warning, it's for at least six inches of snow. An ice storm warning is for at least a quarter inch of ice, so you should anticipate problems travelling. You should anticipate the possibility of power outages, certainly communication outages. It's just a good time to stay at home."
According to Runnels, wind chill should be kept in mind when dressing for the weather. He says an air temperature of zero with a 15 mph wind results in a wind chill of 19 below. He says, in those conditions, frostbite can occur in 30 minutes.To learn more about winter weather, visit http://www.crh.noaa.gov/sgf/?n=winterawareness2009