Severe Weather

BLIZZARDSBy Daniel Khan (607)

Blizzard Facts• A blizzard is a severe snowstorm usually accompanied by high winds, blowing snow and very cold temperatures.• The National Weather Services defines blizzards as large amounts of falling or blowing snow with winds in excess of 35 mph and

visibilities of less than ¼ of a mile for a period of more than 3 hours.• High winds coupled with low temperatures can create wind chill effects that pose a greater danger and can cause frostbite or

hypothermia. For example, with an air temperature of 0 degrees and a 30 mph wind, the air against your skin will feel like -26 degrees. At this temperature, you can experience frostbite in only 30 minutes.

• Rochester, New York is the snowiest large city in the U.S., averaging 94 inches of snow a year.• About 187 inches of snow fell in seven days on Thompson Pass, Alaska in February, 1953. The greatest daily snow fall was 62 inches

also on Thompson Pass, Alaska.• Some of the most memorable blizzards in the U.S. have occurred on the East Coast, known as Nor'easters. The storms stall over the

coast and last anywhere from 12 to 24 hours with snow amounts measured in feet rather than inches.• 1888 has the distinction of being the year of two legendary storms. The Schoolhouse Blizzard struck the Plains States in January from

Texas to South Dakota, stranding children in their one-room schoolhouses, hence the name. About 235 people died, most of them school-aged kids on their way home that never realized they had no chance of traversing the whiteout conditions, where the ground could not be differentiated from the sky.

• In the Great Blizzard of 1888, snowfalls of 40-50 inches fell in parts of NJ, NY, MA and CT and produced snowdrifts of more than 50 feet. Railroads were shut down and people were confined to their houses for up to a week. People tried to go to work for fear of losing their jobs, and almost 30 of them in New York alone froze to death on their way home after they found there was no electricity.

• If caught outside in a blizzard, it is not a good idea to eat snow because it will lower your body temperature. It’s best to melt the snow first.

• When treating hypothermia, the extremities (arms and legs) should not be warmed first because this will drive cold blood to the heart which can lead to heart failure.

Sources:Dangerous PlanetUS SAR Task Force The Worst Blizzards in U.S. History

Severe WeatherHow blizzards are formed

• Winter storms derive their energy from the clash of two air masses of different temperatures and moisture levels. Winter storms usually form when an air mass of cold, dry, for example, Canadian air moves south and interacts with a warm, moist air mass moving north from the Gulf of Mexico. The point where these two air masses meet is called a front. If cold air advances and pushes away the warm air, it forms a cold front. When warm air advances, it rides up over the denser, cold air mass to form a warm front.

• Blizzards and severe snowstorms have a number of dangers including blowing snow that can cause whiteout conditions that make driving and walking nearly impossible. Loss of electricity is another danger, as well as hypothermia in people who are caught outdoors.

Safety Tips:*A NOAA weather radio is always good to have at your fingertips so you can stay up to date on the latest winter alerts (especially if the power goes out).

*If you know a blizzard is coming your way, it would be a good idea to check the weather reports and at least go out and buy a few days worth of water, flashlights with batteries, and canned food. As stated above, the power could go out and you could be without running wateror a working oven. Even if the power doesn't go out, it would be best to stay in while the storm is going on, and for awhile after the storm has finished and weather conditions improve. It will take cleanup crews a little while to clear all the snow on the roads.

*Staying in during the storm is one of the most important blizzard safety tips because with blizzards, there is strong wind and heavy snow which make for poor visibility. You could end up crashing into something or losing your sense of direction (walking) in the crazy weather and develop frostbite, which is a condition brought on when the body temperature drops to less than 95 degrees Fahrenheit. *If you are traveling by car or if you MUST travel, bring the same necessities you would have in your house to prepare for a dangerous weather situation. Water, food, etc. A blanket would be good too. If you get stuck, a good rule to go by is for every hour, turn the car on for ten minutes to keep heat in the car to keep you warm.

* If you get stranded in your car during a bad snow storm be prepared with plenty of warm clothes and packaged snack foods. It may seem sensible to leave the engine running to keep warm, but it isn't. The danger of carbon monoxide poisoning is high. Snow can block your exhaust pipe and fill the car with deadly fumes. Keeping one window open just a bit will help avoid this. If you keep the engine running you may run out of gas before the storm is over. A better idea is to run the engine in short bursts. Turn the engine on long to keep the car warm and then turn it off. Keep this routine up until the conditions are stable enough for you to get back on the road. * Designate a spot, in the hall closet, to keep a bag of warm clothes for each person in the household. If the lights are out, it will be hard to find that really warm turtle neck or a pair of warm socks or gloves...in the dark. Count on the power being out for at least a day or two and have some board games and a deck of cards on hand. Arts and crafts are always fun for the kids (especially if there isn't any television to distract them) so make sure you have some of those supplies easily available.

*Along with warm clothes and blankets, consider stocking your Blizzard Kit with the following: batteries, flash lights, battery operated radio/television, bottled water, toilet paper, nonperishable foods such as cereal or crackers, canned goods, a non electric can opener, a small cooler, candles, prescription medicines and any over-the-counter remedies you use regularly; and if you have young infants or toddlers - diapers, baby wipes, formula, baby food.

Severe Weather Quiz:

1. A Winter Storm Watch is issued by the National Weather Service when the following weather conditions are possible within 24 to 48 hours?

2. Loss of electric power may cause? 

A. at least 5 inches of snow in 24 hours and/or ice accumulations of 1/4 inch or moreB. at least 4 inches of snow in 24 hours and/or ice accumulations of 1/4 inch or moreC. at least 3 inches of snow in 24 hours and/or ice accumulations of 1/4 inch or moreD. none of the above 

A. loss of cooking, heating, water, telephone services and refrigeration to preserve food supply.B. inoperability of modern conveniences as an electric can opener, alarm clock & small appliances.C. ability to buy gasoline, use ATM=s or sustain home life support systems.D. possibly all of the above depending on circumstances.

3. Most deaths related to Winter Storms involve which of the following?

4. If your heat goes out during a winter storm, you may want to consider doing the following?

A. traffic accidents on icy roads.B. heart attacks while shoveling snow.C. prolonged exposure to the cold.D. all of the above. 

A. wear several layers of lightweight clothing and a wool cap, sleep under several lightweight blankets.B. eat natural, high energy foods like raisins or peanut butter that allow your body to produce its own heat.C. close off rooms that you don’t need.D. all of the above.

5. What is frostbite? 6. The safest place to be during an ice storm is?

A. a condition brought on when the body temperature drops to less than 95 degrees Fahrenheit.B. a condition brought on by sudden changes in body temperatures of extremities.C. damage to body tissue cause by tissue being frozen.D. all of the above. 

A. vehicle.B. home.C. outdoors.D. all of the above. 

1.A 2.D 3.D 4.D 5.A 6.B