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In the High Plains, a winter storm generally means a combination of three things:
- Extreme cold
- High winds
- Snow
Snow can shut down an area, especially when there's a lot of it. Roads become impassable, meaning rural areas can become completely isolated, and travelers may become stranded. Buildings and power lines can collapse under the weight of the snow. Unprotected livestock may be lost.
High winds frequently accompany snow, and can cause quite a bit of trouble even when it's not snowing. If there's already snow on the ground, the winds can drop visibilities to near zero in blowing snow. Wind can cause damage to buildings and bring down power lines. Even if it's not extremely cold outside, the wind can make it feel much much colder. The "wind chill" is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by combined effects of wind and cold. As the wind increases, heat is carried away from the body at an accelerated rate, driving down body temperature. Animals are also affected by wind chill.
Exposed skin freezes quickly - resulting in frostbite. Frostbite is damage to body tissue caused by the tissue being frozen. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers or toes. If a person is outside long enough without enough warm clothing - hypothermia (low body temperature) and possible death may result.
Extremely cold temperatures also kills vegetation. If it occurs during the growing season, crops die. However, with a little bit of knowledge and a little bit of preparation time, everyone can survive even the worst winter storms. |
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Terms to Know
Winter Storm Watch - severe winter weather conditions may affect your area. (Freezing rain, sleet, and heavy snow may occur separately or in combination).
Winter Storm Warning - severe winter weather conditions are imminent or occurring, and are expected to meet or exceed selected criteria.
Heavy Snow Warning - a snowfall of at least 6 inches in 12 hours or 8 inches in 24 hours is expected. (Under certain conditions, heavy snow may be included in Winter Storm Warnings.)
Blizzard Warning - considerable falling and/or blowing snow and winds of at least 35 miles per hour are expected for several hours.
High Wind Warning - sustained winds of at least 40 miles per hour or gusts of at least 58 miles per hour or greater are expected to last for at least 1 hour. (In some areas, this means strong gusty winds occurring in shorter time periods.)
Wind Chill Warning - used with wind chills of 25 degrees below zero or colder due to brisk winds and very cold temperatures.
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Know How to Protect Yourself
Keep supplies on hand - batteries, flashlight, NOAA Weather Radio or otherwise portable radio, extra food and water, medicine and baby supplies, first-aid kit, fuel for heating, emergency heat, and a fire extinguisher.
Move animals (household pets as well as livestock) to shelter. Keep extra food and a water source nearby. Most animal deaths in winter storms are from dehydration.
Winterize your vehicle. Carry blankets, flashlight, first-aid kit, extra clothing, a shovel, jumper cables, matches and a coffee can (for melting snow), compass, road maps, and anything else that might come in handy if you get stuck.
Keep a full tank of gas in your vehicle.
Try not to travel alone, and let people know where you're going, the route you plan to travel, and when you expect to arrive.
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Just In Case
If you get caught in a winter storm, follow these simple steps, and you will have a better chance of surviving.
Outside:
Find shelter! Try to stay dry, and cover all exposed parts of the body and you'll have a better chance of not getting frostbite or hypothermia. If you can't find shelter, you'll have to make do with what you have. Make a lean-to, a wind break, or even a snow cave to protect yourself from the wind. Build a fire for heat (and to attract attention), and put rocks around it to absorb and reflect heat from the fire.
Don't eat the snow! It's cold, and you'll lower your body temperature from the inside, resulting in hypothermia. Melt it first.
In a vehicle:
Stay in the vehicle. It's protected from the wind and wind-driven snow. However, you will have to venture outside to make sure your tail pipe(s) aren't blocked, so keep a hand touching the vehicle at all times so you don't become disoriented.
Run the motor once in awhile. About ten minutes each hour should be enough to provide a little bit of heat. Crack a window to make sure you don't get carbon monoxide poisoning.
Make yourself visible. Tie a colored cloth (red, if possible) to your external antenna or to your door. Raise your hood after the snow stops falling. Turn on the dome light at night while your running your engine (don't keep it on or you'll run your battery down).
Exercise from time to time by vigorously moving your arms, legs, fingers, and toes. It will keep your blood moving and keep you warm.
At home or in another building:
Stay inside. If you have to use fire as a source of heat, make sure you ventilate and use other fire safeguards.
If you don't have heat, close off unneeded rooms, stuff towels in the cracks under doors, and cover your windows at night.
Eat and drink. Food provides energy for the body to produce its own heat, and fluids will keep you from dehydrating.
Wear loose, light-weight, warm clothes in several layers. Trapped air insulates. Layers can be removed to avoid perspiration and subsequent chill. Outer garments should be tightly woven , water repellent, and hooded. Wear a hat. Half your body heat can be lost from your head.
After the storm:
Don't overexert yourself. Many deaths related to winter storms occur after the storm is over. Heart attacks while shoveling snow or pushing a car, a result of a person pushing their body beyond its limits in the cold. Everyone needs to conserve some energy to stay warm. Besides, sweating means putting a layer of moisture on your skin, which will freeze in the cold, chill you, and possibly bring on hypothermia. |
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