Prepare for the Polar Plunge: Crucial Safety Tips Amid the Major Winter Storm Threatening the South and East Coast!

Source - The National Weather Service

A significant winter storm is set to impact the southern United States starting Friday and will continue through the weekend, with effects reaching up the East Coast by Saturday night. This storm will bring a range of precipitation as it rolls through the Southern Plains and Southern Rockies, intensifying and making its way into the Mid-South and Gulf Coast states, further extending into the Tennessee Valley by Saturday.

As a cold air mass pushes down from a strong high-pressure system located in North Dakota, the weather pattern becomes quite dynamic. On Thursday, a cutoff low pressure off the West Coast is moving toward Southern California and will merge with a northern stream trough advancing from the northern Rockies. This interaction forms a significant trough that spans the continental United States by Saturday.

Ahead of this system, subtropical moisture from the East Pacific will spread across northern Mexico, while Gulf moisture will rapidly move north, starting Thursday evening. The combination of these moisture sources, coupled with the arctic air mass in place, will create a complex weather scenario. Expect a wide array of wintry precipitation types: rain near the Gulf Coast, transitioning to freezing rain just inland, sleet further north, and snow where the warm layer of air remains below freezing.

One important update from the latest forecasts is a noticeable northward shift in both the expected precipitation amounts (QPF) and the temperature profiles, including a warmer air mass. Nevertheless, surface cold air should continue its progression, which signifies that the area affected by winter weather is still expanding, stretching from the Gulf Coast all the way to the central Plains.

As the precipitation intensifies late Friday into Saturday, residents in the southern Plains and Mid-South should prepare for heavy rainfall, impactful freezing rain, and even considerable snow accumulation, potentially leading to dangerous conditions, including over an inch of ice and deep snow mixed with heavy sleet. Prolonged power outages could occur, particularly during this season's coldest air. 

Stay updated on the forecast for your area by visiting weather.gov. Keep in mind that much of the heavy precipitation may continue beyond the typical forecasting period, so forecasts will be available through 00Z Sunday (Day 3.5). For this period, model probabilities forecast that areas in the central and southern Colorado Rockies as well as the central New Mexico ranges, will have a 50-80% chance of receiving more than 8 inches of snow. There’s also a significant 20-50% chance for areas from northeast Texas, across the Louisiana-Arkansas border, into northern Mississippi and northwestern Alabama to receive more than 0.5 inches of precipitation.

Prepare yourself and your loved ones for this winter weather, and don’t forget to keep an eye on updates as the storm progresses!

 Keeping Your Family Safe!

Winter storms can pack quite a punch! We often see extreme cold, freezing rain, sleet, heavy snowfall, ice, and howling winds. These fierce storms can throw a wrench in transportation and lead to outages in heating, power, and communication systems. They sometimes result in the closure of schools, stores, and workplaces, making life a bit more challenging for everyone.

Let’s talk about wind chill. This term refers to how cold we actually feel outside because of the wind. As the wind picks up, it accelerates the loss of heat from our bodies, dropping our body temperatures and making us feel even chillier than it really is outside. Remember, wind chill is not the same as the actual temperature; it’s how the combination of wind and cold affects our exposed skin.

When a winter weather advisory is issued, it usually means that significant inconveniences are expected, and while conditions may be dangerous, they aren't typically life-threatening if you proceed with caution. It’s crucial to stay cozy indoors during these times to protect yourself against frostbite and hypothermia.

Before the winter season kicks in, take some time to ensure your home is safe and warm. Make your spaces more comfortable by adding insulation, caulking, and weather stripping to keep out that biting cold. Using an indoor thermometer or thermostat can help you monitor the warmth inside as well.

Don’t forget about your loved ones and neighbors! Planning to check on those who might need extra help, especially older adults and babies, is a great way to show you care.

Staying hydrated is important too, so sip on plenty of warm fluids—just steer clear of caffeine and alcohol. If possible, it’s best to avoid traveling during severe winter weather. However, if you absolutely must venture outside, be sure to dress appropriately to protect against the chill. Cover your nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes with warm, dry clothing, as these areas are often the first to feel the effects of frostbite. Layering is key! Opt for loose clothing, a thick coat, a warm hat, mittens, and insulated, water-resistant boots. A scarf can also help shield your face from biting winds.

In preparation, have a clear plan in mind for where to go if your home gets too cold. Consider heading to a friend’s place, a public library, or even a designated warming center. Before a winter storm hits, gather essential items like food, water, and medications, as stores may close and travel could become unsafe.

Organizing your supplies into a Go-Kit and a Stay-at-Home Kit is a smart strategy.

**Go-Kit:** Keep a kit of at least three days' worth of supplies that’s easy to carry in case you need to leave your home. Ensure you have backup batteries and chargers for any essential devices, such as cell phones, CPAP machines, wheelchairs, and other critical equipment.

**Stay-at-Home Kit:** Aim for at least two weeks' worth of supplies if you plan on staying put. This should include warm clothing, hats, mittens, and blankets for everyone in your household. 

Consider that your access to drinking water could be disrupted, so plan for at least one gallon of water per person per day. It’s also wise to equip your vehicle with emergency supplies, such as blankets, warm clothing, a first aid kit, and extra boots.

Make sure you have a one-month supply of necessary medications and medical supplies. Keeping a small card listing your medications and dosages can be very handy when you’re on the go. Lastly, safeguard your personal, financial, and medical records—having hard copies or secure backups is essential. Don’t forget your snow shovel and any ice-melting products to keep your walkways safe during icy conditions. Stock up beforehand on winter storm preparedness kits and first aid supplies to keep yourself and your family well-equipped for whatever the winter weather may bring!

Driving in Winter Weather

The Basics

Slow down. It’s harder to control or stop your vehicle on a slick or snow-covered surface. In fact, 2022 there were an estimated 153,620 police-reported traffic crashes that occurred when there was snow/sleet conditions at the time of the crash. On the road, increase your following distance enough so that you’ll have plenty of time to stop for vehicles ahead of you.

Don’t crowd a snow plow or travel beside the truck. Snow plows travel slowly, make wide turns, stop often, overlap lanes, and exit the road frequently. If you find yourself behind a snow plow, stay far enough behind it and use caution if you pass the plow.

What to Do in an Emergency

If you are stopped or stalled in wintry weather, stay focused on yourself and your passengers, your car, and your surroundings.

Stay with your car and don’t overexert yourself.

 
Let your car be seen. Put bright markers on the antenna or windows and keep the interior dome light on.

Be mindful of carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure your exhaust pipe is clear of any snow and run your car only sporadically — just long enough to stay warm. Don’t run your car for long periods of time with the windows up or in an enclosed space.

Before You Go

Stock Your Vehicle

Carry items in your vehicle to handle common winter driving-related tasks, and supplies you might need in an emergency, including:

a snow shovel, broom, and ice scraper;

 
abrasive material (sand or kitty litter), in case your vehicle gets stuck in the snow;

 
jumper cables, flashlight, and warning devices (flares and emergency markers);

 
first aid kit, including tourniquet;

blankets for protection from the cold; and

a cell phone and charger, water, food, and any necessary medicine.

Gas Up or Plug It In

Keep your gas tank close to full whenever possible.

Similarly, in the case for electric and hybrid-electric vehicles, it is important keep your battery charged and to also minimize the drain on the battery. In general, batteries with liquid electrolyte have reduced energy storage and delivery capabilities at lower temperatures, which is why most all vehicle batteries use battery power for self-heating in low temperatures. The battery drain due to heating can be minimized by keeping your electric vehicle as warm as possible during freezing temperatures. A common way to do this is plugging your vehicle in at night during the winter – keeping the battery in its optimal temperature ranges.

Plan Your Route

Check your local weather and traffic reports before heading out. If your roads are not in good shape, consider postponing non-essential travel until the roads are cleared. If you do have to go out, make sure you are prepared in case you become delayed while traveling. If making a long road trip when winter weather is forecasted, consider leaving early or changing your departure to avoid being on the roads during the worst of the storm.

Familiarize yourself with directions and maps before you go—even if you use a GPS—and let others know your route and anticipated arrival time. On longer trips, plan enough time to stop to stretch, get something to eat, check your phone, and change drivers or rest if you feel drowsy.

Be Safe This Weekend!

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