Enjoy Wisconsin's Winters...
But Be Aware Of Weather Hazards!! |
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| Winter Storms...
Snow-covered, slippery
roads cause thousands of vehicle accidents across
Wisconsin each winter that injure or kill the driver,
passengers, or pedestrians. Slow down, put your
headlights on, leave plenty of room between you
and the vehicle ahead of you, and allow for extra
time to reach your destination safely! Better yet,
delay your travel plans until the storm has ended! |
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Wind Chills...
During cold, windy periods
several people usually suffer from frostbite, or
worse yet, freeze to death! Exposed skin can freeze
within minutes when wind chills drop below zero.
Wind chills have been known to drop to 70 or 80
below zero!!! Any wind chills below zero can
result in frostbite if you are outdoors for extended
periods of time. Wear proper clothing, including
thermal underwear, gloves, and hats or hoods!
Delay your outdoor activities, if possible. There's
no excuse for frostbite! Check the latest forecast!
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| Ice Storms...
Freezing rain or freezing
drizzle can result in ice-covered, slippery roads that
cause dozens of vehicle accidents across Wisconsin
each winter. These accidents can injure or kill the
driver, passengers, or pedestrians. Don't drive
unless you absolutely need to. Consider delaying
your travel, you may end up saving your life!
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Hunters...
During cold weather there are
usually several cases where a hunter ultimately
suffers from frostbite or even hypothermia. Or their
vehicle gets stranded in a major winter storm due to
heavy snow, ice accumulations, or blowing snow.
Hunters should have proper food and clothing, and
check the latest forecast. If a storm or low wind
chills are on the way, delay the hunting experience! |
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| Blizzards...
Blizzards are not common in
Wisconsin, but when they strike they become major
killers! Visibilities are sometimes down to zero in
blizzards thanks to falling snow or blowing snow,
and winds frequently gusting to over 35 mph. If
you are driving in a blizzard, it may feel like you're
driving into a cotton ball... you will not see a thing
in front of you!!! Blizzards cause accidents that can
kill the driver, passengers, or pedestrians. Do not
drive when blizzard conditions exist!
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Fishing on Frozen Lakes...
In
every winter there are situations where someone or
their vehicle falls through thin ice. Don't walk, fish,
or drive on thin ice. Thin ice is more likely early in
the winter, and toward spring. Pay attention to
posted signs which warn of thin ice!! |
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| Hypothermia...
In every Wisconsin winter
several people die to cold-weather hypothermia.
For many reasons, people slip and fall on slippery
pavement, hit their head, and become unconscious.
If no one finds them, they freeze to death. Some
people have been known to leave their snow-stuck
vehicle and attempt to walk to a home or building in
the distance, only to become exhausted, and die
after their body temperature falls to dangerous
levels. Drive with a full tank of gas and stay with
your snow-stuck vehicle, occasionally running the
heater. Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle!
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Carbon-Monoxide(CO)...
Up to a
dozen people die in each Wisconsin winter due to
CO poisoning. Space heaters that use fuel
generate carbon-monoxide fumes that kill people if
the room they are in doesn't have proper ventilation.
Open up your windows a bit to allow for a supply of
fresh air. If stranded in your vehicle, make sure the
exhaust pipe in clear of snow, and open your
vehicle windows a bit to allow fresh air inside! |
| National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologists who service Wisconsin |
URL: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mkx/flyers/winter_haz.php
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