Are we on the edge of winter??  Last week it was getting remarkably cold in the South. Montana had a winter blast with 45+ inches of snow. Maine mountains received 4 - 6 inches last week. This week, NY State and places in New Jersey  saw snow. There have been huge power outages. Sandi Duncan lives in New Jersey and has 5 inches of snow in her yard.

All of this comes at a good time. The National Weather Service (in New England) has declared the week of October 27 - 31st as Winter Weather Awareness Week. John Jensenius has provided me with a great deal of information that can be helpful as we approach those (numbingly) cold and snowy months. This is for New England but works just as well in other parts of the U.S.

…WINTER WEATHER BASICS…

For those who live in New England, winter weather is a part of life from November through March. Snow, sleet, freezing rain, cold temperatures, and cold wind chill temperatures will be common occurrences soon. While most of the time these weather elements are only a nuisance to our daily routines, at times they can produce hazardous or life-threatening situations for those who are not prepared…or for those who do not take the proper precautions.

To alert the public to potentially dangerous winter weather events or situations, the National Weather Service issues OUTLOOKS, WATCHES, WARNINGS, and ADVISORIES. While the exact criteria used to trigger watches, warnings, and advisories in Maine and New Hampshire will be discussed in Public Information Statements later this week, you should keep the following general definitions in mind.

OUTLOOK - A HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK is issued daily by National Weather Service offices across the country to alert the public to the potential for any hazardous weather during the next 7 days (including significant winter storms, high wind, coastal flooding, and extreme temperatures). Due to the uncertainty in predicting the strength and path of a winter storm more than several days in advance, the exact impact on the area (if any) will not be known. In addition, National Weather Service offices may issue SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENTS.

WATCH - WATCHES are issued to alert the public that dangerous winter conditions are possible in the within the next 24 to 60 hours. Products include: WINTER STORM WATCHES, HIGH WIND WATCHES, and COASTAL FLOOD WATCHES.

WARNING - WARNINGS are issued to alert the public that dangerous winter conditions are likely to occur within the next 6 to 24 hours or are occurring. Products include WINTER STORM WARNING, ICE STORM WARNING, BLIZZARD WARNING, HIGH WIND WARNING, WIND CHILL WARNING, and COASTAL FLOOD WARNING.

ADVISORY- Issued to alert the public that winter conditions are expected to cause a significant inconvenience and may be hazardous. If caution is exercised, these situations should not be life threatening.

Products include WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY, FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY, WIND ADVISORY, and WIND CHILL ADVISORY.

PREPAREDNESS TIP FOR THE DAY:

Automobile accidents are the leading cause of deaths and injuries during and after winter storms. While snow and ice contribute to the slippery conditions…vehicle speed is a major factor in determining the likelihood of a death or serious injury from an automobile accident.

Under certain conditions, roads can get extremely icy from an inch or less of snow, or from freezing drizzle. Patchy black ice…even days after a storm…can be a significant hazard. Many of these hazards are not apparent until it is too late. SLOW DOWN before your vehicle begins to slip and slide. Remember, snow and ice can cause accidents, but vehicle speed kills.

Thanks John - so this is the terminology you’ll hear this winter. If you have to err, do so on the side of caution.

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Winter Weather, Coastal Flooding, Dangerous Conditions, Snow