First Winter Storm of the 2007 Season for the Midwest

This weekend, the Midwestern United States is poised to encounter its first major winter storm of the season. Already, ice storm warnings and winter storm watches/warnings have been posted for parts of Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa. A foot of snow or more is forecast for some parts of the region.

In this El Nino year (see links below for more information), wild weather has already been seen en masse across the United States. The Northwest and Mountain West regions have been inundated with snow storm after snow storm. Just a few scant weeks ago, the Denver CO area received two massive snow storms within a 10 day period.

Here are some definitions for you:

Winter Storm Watch - is issued when the threat is for heavy snow or winds, with substantially colder temperatures/wind chills

Winter Storm Warning - such a storm is imminent or already occurring.

Wind Chill - the combined effect of the air temperature and the wind - what it actually feels like

Ice Storm Warning - freezing rain and/or sleet is imminent or already occurring. An ice storm typically makes travel nearly impossible, and also endangers power lines, trees, and other large structures.

Winter Weather Advisory - winter weather, moderate snowfall or cold is possible. Not as severe as say a winter storm warning

Blizzard Warning - the combination of considerable falling/accumulating snow and sustained winds of 35 miles or greater. A blizzard typically makes travel nearly impossible.

Freezing Rain - precipitation that falls as rain but freezes on contact, making travel treacherous.

Heavy Snow generally means:

• Snowfall accumulating to 4 inches or more in depth in 12 hours or less
• Snowfall accumulating to 6 inches or more in depth in 24 hours or less

Sleet - partially frozen precipitation (think halfway between rain and snow), that falls as round ice pellets

Winter also means that we need to practice winter driving rules and think about survival tips should we get stranded or stuck inside our homes for several days.

1. Travel with an emergency kit in your car including: a cell phone (charged), a shovel, a bag or two of sand or salt, some non-perishable food, flares if need be, a snow shovel (collapsible)
2. Keep an eye on the weather via TV, radio, or Internet
3. Cancel or reschedule plans to travel if conditions deteriorate
4. Several days before an impending storm...fill up your car with gas, get groceries, etc. It's much more advisable to do this BEFORE the weather gets bad.
5. If you live out in the country, coordinate with your neighbors plans to dig out your roadways, etc. Typically, country roads are the VERY LAST to be plowed during a snow storm if at all, so be prepared

Winter Storms are part and parcel of living in many areas of the United States; they just are. If you plan for it, make sound decisions on whether or not to travel, and keep a weather eye, you should be prepared and safe this winter season and every one to come.