Last year, the Madison area received 71.8 inches of snow during the winter, one of the top ten snowiest years on record, according to the National Weather Service. Whether you love or hate the snow, it will be back soon. Before it arrives, now is a great time to prepare for winter weather so that you can stay safe when it gets cold, snowy, and icy.
One simple but important thing to do to prepare for winter is to make sure you know what the different winter weather advisory/watch/warning terms mean. Knowing what these terms mean helps you know how serious the weather will be and what precautions you should take. There are several types of winter weather warnings, but these are a few of the more common terms. A Winter Storm Warning is issued when hazardous winter weather is going to happen. This can include heavy snow of 6 inches or more in 12 hours, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet. During a warning, people should avoid driving if at all possible. A Winter Storm Watch means there is a possibility of a blizzard, heavy snow, freezing rain, or sleet; this is usually issued 24-48 hours before the weather event. This is a good time to make sure your home and vehicle are prepared for a winter storm. Finally, a Winter Weather Advisory is issued when there will likely be significant accumulations of snow, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and sleet. During a Winter Weather Advisory, people should take precautions when driving.
The next step in preparing for winter is building an emergency kit. During this time of year, it’s especially important to have an emergency kit for your vehicle and your home. Some items to include in your car’s kit include jumper cables, a first aid kit, a cell phone charger, a bag of sand or cat litter, water and non-perishable snacks, a flashlight, and a blanket. There are many other items you could include in your kit as well; think about what unique needs you might have if you get stranded or what unique items you might need depending on the type of vehicle you have.
The emergency kit for your home should have some similar items to your vehicle’s emergency kit. This includes a first aid kit, cell phone charger, water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, and a blanket. You’ll also want to include a weather radio, extra batteries, a manual can opener, and any prescription or non-prescription medications you or your family members need. Depending on your family, you may want to include other supplies like pet food or bottles and infant formula.
When the temperatures drop, frostbite and hypothermia can become a concern, especially for people who spend a lot of time outside. If you begin to notice numbness, white or grayish-yellow skin, or firm or waxy skin, these could be signs of frostbite; get to a warm room and soak in warm water. Signs of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, and drowsiness. In this case, go to a warm room and warm the center of the body first — chest, neck, head, and groin using warm, dry blankets. If someone’s body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, it is an emergency, and you should seek medical help.
When you do spend time outside this winter, make sure you dress accordingly, depending on the temperature and weather. In moderately cold temperatures you should wear two layers of clothing, and three layers during extreme cold. It’s important to wear an outer layer that helps protect against wind and moisture. And, don’t forget your accessories — warm gloves or mittens, a hat, a scarf, and in extreme cold, a face mask.
You can find more information about how to prepare for winter weather and reminders for staying safe in the snow by going to ready.gov. All of us at Green County Public Health hope you have a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season!
— Bridget Zimmerman is the Public Health Educator for the Green County Public Health Department and can be reached at bzimmerman@greencountywi.org or 608-328-9509.
