Missouri Winter Weather Awareness Day
November 16, 2005
- 1. Summary and Records
- 2. Extreme Cold; Deaths, Frostbite and Hypothermia
- 3. Wind Chill
- 4. Did You Know?
- 5. Winter Precipitation
- 6. Winter Weather Safety rules
- 7. Winter Safety for Schools
- 8. Winter Weather Products and Procedures
For a pdf version of this information, viewable in Acrobat Reader, click HERE.
The National Weather Service (NWS) along with the
Missouri State
Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Department of Health and Senion Services, the State Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education, and the Missouri Highway Patrol, has designated November 16, 2005
as Winter Weather Awareness Day. Winter storms and cold temperatures can be extremely
dangerous. We urge people to
use this day to review the hazards and safety rules of winter weather so they are prepared
for the upcoming winter season.
We cannot stop winter storms and extreme cold, but we can save lives by being prepared. The NWS will transmit winter weather safety information on the NOAA Weather Wire Service and over NOAA Weather Radio during this day and during the week. SEMA will send out information to local emergency managers and public safety directors across the state.
The media is urged to use this information to help spread the word about winter weather safety!
Contact your local NWS office for interviews or additional information.
- St. Louis 314-441-8467 weather.gov/stlouis
- Kansas City 816-540-6021 weather.gov/kansascity
- Paducah, KY 502-744-6424 weather.gov/paducah
- Springfield 417-869-4491 weather.gov/springfield
- Memphis, TN 544-544-0399
weather.gov/memphis
- Frostbite occurs when the
skin becomes cold enough to actually freeze. A loss of feeling and a white or pale
appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, or the nose are symptoms of
frostbite.
- Hypothermia (Low Body
Temperature) can occur during long periods of exposure when the body temperature drops
below 95 degrees F. A person will become disoriented, confused, and shiver uncontrollably,
eventually leading to drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. In severe cases, death is
possible.
- Keep ahead of advancing winter weather by listening to NOAA
Weather Radio.
- An ice storm will take down power lines knocking out electricity.
Check battery powered equipment before the storm arrives.
- Check your food and stock an extra supply. Include food that requires no cooking in case
of power failure. If there are infants or people who need special medication at home, make
sure you have a supply of the proper food and medicine. Make sure pets and animals have
shelter and a water supply.
- If appropriate, check your supply of heating fuel. Fuel carriers may not be able to
reach you due to closed roads.
- Be careful when using fireplace, stoves, or space heaters. Proper ventilation is
essential to avoid a deadly build-up of carbon monoxide. Don't use charcoal inside as it
gives off large amounts of carbon monoxide. Keep flammable material away from space
heaters and do not overload electric circuits.
- Dress for the conditions when outdoors. Wear several layers of light-weight, warn
clothing: layers can be removed to prevent perspiring and subsequent chill. Outer garments
should be tightly woven, waterproof and hooded. For the hands, mittens, snub at the
wrists, offer better protection than fingered gloves.
- Don't kill yourself shoveling snow. It is extremely hard work for anyone in less than
prime physical condition. It can bring on a heart attack, a major cause of death during
and after winter storms.
Automobiles
- Your automobile can be your best friend or worst enemy during winter storms. Get your
car winterized before winter arrives. The following items should be checked; ignition
system, cooling system, fuel system, battery, lights, tires, heater, brakes, wipers,
defroster, oil, exhaust. Keep water out of your fuel tank by keeping it full.
- If you travel often during winter, carry a winter storm kit in you car. It should
include; flashlight, windshield scraper, paper towels, extra clothes, matches/candles,
booster cables, compass, maps, sand, chains, blankets, high calorie non-perishable food.
- Winter travel by car is serious business. If the storm exceeds or tests your driving
ability, seek available shelter immediately.
- Plan your travel. Try not to travel alone and drive in convoy when possible.
- Drive carefully and defensively. Pump your breaks when trying to stop on snow or ice
covered roads.
- All schools should have ready access to current weather
information. If the school is in a county covered by NOAA Weather Radio, that would be the
best source. Commercial media can also be monitored. Arrangements can also be made with
local law enforcement agencies to have critical winter weather forecasts relayed to the
school.
- All schools need to have a functional plan in regard to closures
due to snow, ice, or extreme cold.
- During the winter months, guidelines need to be established
regarding outside recess. Temperatures and wind chills need to be monitored and criteria
set as to when outside recess will be allowed.
- School bus drivers should receive extra training on driving during
winter weather. Snow and ice can often accumulate quickly and unexpectedly on roads
creating dangerous driving conditions.
With many households having two working parents today, it may be necessary for some children to be brought to school early. Schools should make provisions to allow children inside school buildings as early as possible during cold weather.
Outlook - The Hazardous Weather Outlook (HWOLSX, FLUS43 KLSX) will contain any and all information pertaining to potential winter storms that may occur in the latter days of the forecast.
Watch - A watch is used when the risk of hazardous winter weather has increased significantly, there is a strong possibility it will reach warning criteria, and falls in the 12 to 48 hour portion of the forecast.
Warning - These products are issued when a hazardous event is occurring, is imminent, or has a very high probability of occurrence. Some of the criteria needed include:
Snow: 6 inches in 12 hours, 8 inches in 24 hours. 4 inches in 12 hours, 6 inches in 24 hours in
Southeast Missouri
Ice: ice accumulation of 1/4 inch or more..
Wind Chill: wind chill temperature of -25 degrees F or lower: A Wind Chill Advisory is issued for
wind chills of -15 to -24
High Wind: sustained wind 40 mph or more for 1 hour or longer or gust to 58 mph
A Winter Storm Warning can also be issued when lesser amounts of any of the above will occur, but the combination will create life threatening conditions.Advisory - These are issued for lesser events that while presenting an inconvenience, do not pose an immediate threat of death, injury, or significant property damage.
Statements - These are issued at frequent intervals to update and provide additional information pertaining to watches, warnings, or advisories.
- Short Term Forecasts - These are issued at frequent
intervals to provide information on current weather and expected conditions over the next
1 - 6 hours.
- Winter Storm Watch
- Blizzard Warning (not too common, but possible)
- Winter Storm Warning
- Ice Storm Warning
- Heavy Snow Warning
- Wind Chill Warning
- Winter Weather Advisory
- Snow Advisory
- Freezing Rain Advisory
- Wind Chill Advisory
Record Low Temperatures in Missouri
Columbia -26 February 12, 1899
Kansas City -23 December 22,23 1989
Springfield -29 February 12, 1899
St. Louis -22 January 5, 1894
Coldest Temperature in Missouri
Warsaw -40 February 13, 1905
Extreme cold temperatures are a big danger during winter months in Missouri. Prolonged exposure to the cold can cause frostbite, hypothermia, or in extreme cases death. In fact, excessive cold is one of the leading weather-related causes of death across the country. Infants and the elderly are most susceptible to extreme cold. Freezing temperatures also cause damage to crops and property.
Deaths from Excessive Cold in Missouri*
* Source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). For more information on cold weather safety, statistics, etc, visit the DHSS website.
Year |
1994-95 | 1995-96 | 1996-97 |
1997-98 |
1998-99 |
1999-00 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 |
| Deaths | 11 |
20 |
14 |
7 |
7 |
12 |
19 |
11 |
16 |
24 |
19 |
Wind Chill is the term used to describe the rate of heat loss on the human body resulting from the combined effect of low temperature and wind. As winds increase, heat is carried away from the body at a faster rate, driving down both the skin temperature and eventually internal body temperature. While exposure to low wind chills can be life threatening to both humans and animals alike, the only effect that wind chill has on inanimate objects, such as vehicles, is that is shortens the time it takes the object to cool to the actual air temperature (it cannot cool the object below that temperature). For example, water freezes at 32 degrees F, regardless of what the wind chill temperature is.
Before the 2001/2002 winter season, the NWS implemented a NEW WIND CHILL TEMPERATURE INDEX (WCT). Read more about the WCT by clicking on the link below.
Severe winter weather can strand you in your own home. It is a good idea to keep some extra supplies around during the winter season. Items you may want to have include non-perishable food, medical supplies, batteries, and emergency heating supplies.
Travel in winter can be extremely dangerous. The best thing to
do is cancel any travel if winter weather will occur. However if you must
travel, make sure you plan ahead. Make sure other people know your travel plans
and know how to contact you. Travel in convoy with other vehicles if possible.
Keep a survival kit in you vehicle. This kit should include items which include
non-perishable food such as can goods or candy bars, extra clothes and blankets,
a battery powered radio, a shovel, and sand. If stranded, the best thing to do
in to stay in the vehicle. Tie a bright colored cloth to the antenna so rescuers
can find you. Run the engine occasionally for heat making sure to keep the
exhaust pipe clear. Open windows occasionally for fresh air.
Severe winter storms can cut off your supply of electricity and other winter fuels. Have an alternative heat source available if possible. However, be extremely careful in using fireplaces or wood stoves. Make sure they are properly ventilated to avoid the build up of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless, and deadly gas. Do not use charcoal indoors as it gives off large amounts of carbon monoxide. Have you furnace checked before the weather gets cold to make sure it is in good working order.
Portable electric generators like the one pictured above have become very popular. They can be an excellent piece of equipment to have should you lose electric power for an extended period of time. However they must be used safely. The main thing is to make sure the generator is placed OUTSIDE! The exhaust from the engine emits deadly carbon monoxide gas. Make sure you read the owners manual carefully and follow all the recommended safety precautions.
Working in cold weather puts a tremendous strain on the body,
even for people in good shape. Take frequent breaks and don't overexert
yourself. Make sure you dress properly for the conditions. Wear several layers
of lightweight clothing. Air is trapped between the layers to help keep the body
warm. Protect the extremities, such as the hands, feet and ears as they are the
most susceptible to frostbite. Wear a hat as a large percentage of the body's
heat is lost through the top of the head.
| Snow Flurries: Light snow falling for short durations. No accumulation or light dusting is all that is expected. Showers: Snow falling at varying intensities for brief periods of time. Some accumulation is possible. 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 that is picked up by the wind. Blizzard: Winds over 35 mph with snow and blowing snow reducing visibility to near zero. |
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 motorist. |
Freezing Rain 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. |
Around the Home
Children can be especially susceptible to the dangers associated with winter weather. Their youthful enthusiasm often takes over when common sense should prevail.
School administrators and principals need to be sensitive to the dangers winter weather can pose to children and be prepared. Winter weather procedures and practices need to be established before the onset of winter cold. The following items should be considered when formulating a winter weather safety plan:
Here are the most common winter weather watches, warnings and advisories that are issued by the National Weather Service in St. Louis.
If the event is expected to produce only one type of precipitation, for example the storm will produce all snow, then the warning or advisory will be specific: Heavy Snow Warning, or Snow Advisory. When a mixture of precipitation types is expected, the generic Winter Storm Warning/Advisory will be used.
