Winter Weather Outlook and Safety

Winter Weather Preparedness Week

The Climate Prediction Center's latest winter weather outlook for the months of December, January, and February shows equal chances for both above and below normal precipitation and temperature. There is quite a bit of uncertainty in this forecast with variability in long range climate models and forecasted ENSO neutral conditions (meaning neither an El Nino or La Nina will likely occur). There are no major, consistent signs pointing in either direction for our area.

 

 

The uncertainty in long range forecasts is all the more reason to be prepared for the upcoming season. It is Winter Weather Preparedness week in Illinois. Since 1997, 126 people have died in Illinois due to exposure to cold. Dangerous winter driving conditions lead to an average of 50 deaths in the state every year. For the next few months, especially during the holiday travel season, stay alert with WMBD 31 on changing conditions. Here are a few tips to keep you safe:

Preparing Your Home:

• Create a disaster kit similar to one for severe weather. Include items like a NOAA Weather Radio, non-perishable food, medicine, clean water, blankets, an emergency heating device with fuel, and a flashlight with batteries.
• Winterize your home by insulating walls and covering windows with plastic.
• Prevent frozen pipes by sealing any leaks where cold air can get in near pipes and know how to shut off the water in case pipes burst.
• Make sure carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers work.

 Preparing Your Vehicle:

• Check wipers, tires, lights and fuel levels. 
• Lubricate locks to prevent them from freezing.
• Create a car safety kit including a cell phone, blankets, flash light, first aid kit, non-perishable food, water, clothing, sand, shovel, and booster cables.

If you are outside...

• Avoid overexertion
• Cover all exposed skin
• Wear loose fitting, light clothing in several layers
• Stay Dry
• Mittens keep you warmer than gloves
• Wear a hat

If you are traveling...

• Travel only during daylight hours.
• Tell a friend where you are going and what time you plan to leave/arrive.
• Keep windows clear of snow and ice.
• Go slower and give yourself extra stopping distance.
• Give snow plows plenty of room on the road
• Refuel often

If you are stranded in your vehicle...

• Pull as far off the road as possible.
• Put on hazard lights and tie a red piece of fabric to the antenna.
• Stay in your vehicle.
• Clear exhaust pipe periodically and run car about ten minutes every hour to keep warm. Vent windows slightly while engine is running for ventilation.
• Move around to keep blood flowing.
• Take turns sleeping.
• Conserve battery power.

For a more detailed list of winter safety information visit this website: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/ilx/pdf/Winter%20Weather%20prep%20guide.pdf