Can You Weather A Winter Storm?

Blizzards are severe winter storms. They produce heavy amounts of snow or blowing snow, high winds and cold temperatures. Blizzards are formed when a high pressure system collides with a low pressure system. A blizzard can form any place snow falls but is most common in the Northeastern United States and some parts of Canada.

In extreme cases a blizzard may cause whiteout conditions which result when the wind and the snow become so severe it's impossible to tell the ground from the air. If caught in a whiteout people may lose their sense of direction putting them in even more danger of the elements.

The United States
iSustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or greater, considerable falling and/or blowing snow reducing visibility frequently to 1/4 mile or less for a period of three hours or more. There are no temperature criteria in the definition of a blizzard but freezing temperatures and 35 mph winds will create sub-zero wind chills./i">

I was 7 and living in Michigan (about 8 miles away from where I live now). I don't have a clear recollection, just bits, pieces and a few small snippets. So this is less of a story and more of a collection of small memories.

I remember the wind and the continuous swirling snow the most. I watched it for hours out the front window..although the scene hardly changed. It was difficult to see the neighbors house across the street in the small sub-division where we lived. But I had to wait, wait for my dad to get home. He was a police officer in our small town, so of course he was out there in it. I don't recall that I knew I was worried about him then. Now that I'm older I realise I was, but he made it home safe.

I was scheduled to have my tonsils out the next day. It had to be rescheduled. I thought this was pretty lucky on my part. We also had no school, another bit of luck in such a terrible storm. My brother and I rejoiced and desperately tried to tune in any channel we could on the Tv.

After The Storm

View from our front window after clean-up had begun.

I remember when the storm started winding down. The two boys across the street (both around 18) decided to take their truck and try to make it to the nearest store. They went up and down the block asking people if there was anything they needed in the event they actually made it..and on the off chance the store was opened for business. When they came to our house (of course we were already prepared) my mom asked if they could get her a jar of pickles. I found this very odd (and still do) that she would ask for a such a thing. I wish I had asked her then "why pickles?".....I've asked her since but she doesn't recall the "pickle" incident (as it's now known). But my dad remembers her asking, so I know I'm not crazy. I personally think she's wiped it from her mind from sheer embarrasment. I don't remember if we ever got those pickles.

After the snow stopped the whole neighborhood bundled up and went outside. Moms and dads shoveled sidewalks and driveways and hoped that the snow plow would come down our street soon. Us kids played in a man-sized winter wonderland..having snowball fights and making huge snow tunnels out of the massive piles of snow.

The alarm clock goes off, you look outside and sure enough there's 6 inches of fresh snow. Obviously, you need to get to work, even though you'd rather jump back into bed and pull the covers over your head. You need to make the trip as safe as possible for both you and other drivers.

First, check to make sure you have all of your emergency items (see tips below on what to keep in your car) in your car.

Clean all the snow and ice off the vehicle. Just quickly brushing off the windows may reduce your visibility. Turning your lights on will help increase visibility for you and others.

Go slow, allow plenty of time for stopping and put plenty of space between you and other vehicles. Don't assume the guy in front of you is allowing plenty of "stop" time.

Avoid skidding by gently pushing on the brakes, ease off if your wheels start to lock up.

If you're lucky enough to get behind a snow plow/salt truck don't pass them. The road ahead of them is probably even more treacherous.

Here are some great links to find out even more about driving on the snow and ice:


Driving A Car In Snow Video


How To Drive In The Snow

An Ice Storm occurs when rain falls onto an extremely cold ground. The rain water quickly forms into a smooth sheet of Ice covering everything in sight. Power lines and trees snap due to the large amount of weight from the ice, roads and side walks become hazardous making it nearly impossible for people to go about their daily lives.

Occuring mainly in December and January, Ice Storms often happen in the early morning hours which boast the coldest temps of the day.

Ice storms can form with little or no warning to the public, thus adding an extra element of danger. Add that to the treacherous roads, falling trees and power lines and you have a very real recipe for disaster.

Ice Storms are defined by the National Weather Service as "Accumulations of 1/4 inch or more of freezing rain."

An apple, still on the tree, encased in ice after a storm.

Lake effect snow is a weather phenomenon that occurs when arctic air sweeps across The Great Lakes of North America. This happens early in winter when the waters of the lakes are still fairly warm. The winds pick up water vapors, which then freeze and are deposited in and around coastal areas.

Lake effect snow occurs mainly in the Great Lakes region but can form over any large lake. Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland are most effected.

Forming in bands, snow will sometimes fall heavily in concentrated areas while other areas, just a few miles away, may see no snow at all. Lake effect snow can also cause "thunder snow" or snow accompanied by thunder and lightning.

In some areas, several inches of snow may fall in as little as one hour with a large overall snowfall total. Strong winds may occur causing near whiteout conditions.

"Lake Effect Snow Warning - Lake effect snowfall of 6 inches or more in 12 hours or less, or 8 inches or more in 24 hours or less." -National Weather Service

Still photo of lake effect snow.

Animated photo of lafe effect snow over Lake Huron.

Here are more winter weather definitions from the National Weather Service:

Winter Weather Warning : Issued when hazardous winter weather in the form of heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is imminent or occurring. Winter Storm Warnings are usually issued 12 to 24 hours before the event is expected to begin.

Wind Chill Warning: Issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to be hazardous to life within several minutes of exposure.

Snow 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 picked up by the wind.

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 motorists.

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.

Remember, you should avoid driving when road conditions are bad. If you don't really need to go out, don't!

In the event you are caught out on the roads during a winter storm there are a few things you can keep in your vehicle to help out if you get stranded.

Blanket

First Aid Kit

A can and waterproof matches (to melt snow for water)

Windshield Scraper

Booster Cables

Cell Phone

Compass

Tool Kit

Paper Towels

Bag of sand or cat litter (to pour on ice or snow for added traction)

Tow Rope

Collapsible Shovel

Container of water and high-calorie canned or dried foods and a can opener

Flashlight and extra batteries

Brightly colored cloth

Hopefully everyone can ride out the storm in the comfort of their own home. However, things happen that can make being at home dangerous as well. Your power could go out.. including the furnace. You could be unable to leave your home for several days. There could be structure damage to your home caused by high winds or falling trees...
There are a few things you can keep at home to help you weather the storm.

An alternate way to heat your home during a power failure: dry firewood for a fireplace or wood stove, or kerosene for a Kerosene Heater.





Also keep the following stocked in case needed:

Furnace fuel (coal, propane, or oil)

Electric Space Heater with automatic shut-off switch and non-glowing elements

Blankets

Matches

Multipurpose, dry-chemical Fire Extinguisher

First Aid Kit and instruction manual

Flashlight or battery-powered lantern

Weather Radio

Battery-powered clock or watch

Extra batteries

Non-Electric Can Opener

Snow Shovel

Rock salt

Special needs items (diapers, hearing aid batteries, medications, etc.)

Food that needs no cooking or refrigeration, such as bread, crackers, cereal, canned foods, and dried fruits. Remember baby food and formula if you have young children.

Water stored in clean containers, or purchased bottled water (5 gallons per person) in case your water pipes freeze and rupture.

Medicines that any family member may need.