Preparing for winter

While some of the Miami Valley has seen snow already this year others are still waiting for the flakes to fly. Even though the winter weather has yet to make an appearance for everyone now is the time to be prepared.

 

During winter weather events the National Weather Service will issue watches, advisories and warnings for different types of weather. Click here for description of watches, warnings and advisories. 

 

Watch:  Winter Storm, Blizzard or Wind chill

These are issued 12 to 48 hours before the event.

 

Advisory:  Winter Weather, Wind chill

A winter weather advisory can be issued for sleet, rain or a 12 hour snowfall of 2-3 inches.  When the feels like temperature dropped to 10 to 24 below zero a wind chill advisory is put in effect.

 

Warnings:  Winter Storm, Blizzard, Wind chill

Warnings are a more severe threat of winter weather.  A winter storm warning means sleet, freezing rain or a 12 hour snowfall of 4 to 6 inches may occur.  Wind chill warning means wind chills are below minus 25 and a blizzard warning means wind gusts near 35 mph and visibility drop below quarter mile.  

 

Whatever the warning or advisory it's important to create a winter survival kit.  Click here for a list of items to pack at home. Click here for a list of items to keep in the car.  

 

Fran O'Shaughnessy Interim CEO Dayton American Red Cross says, "We would love for everyone to have a kit in a plastic container and place it in your safe spot where you would go if there's a tornado or windstorm.   you have your supplies there so no matter what happens you know exactly where to go to."

 

The American Red Cross suggests blankets, non-perishable food, and water just in case a winter storm knocks out power and you're without heat for a period of time. 

 

"We also want people to look at those kits twice a year to make sure everything is up to date the batteries so everything is current and still usable,"  O'Shaughnessy says.  

 

Usable  and ready just in case old man winter decides to make an appearance.

Click here for a list of snow emergency classifications.