博体育

Introduction

The weather has a habit of changing pretty quickly, especially during the winter season. Powerful winter storms driven by jet streams that often exceed 200 mph can bring copious amounts of snow and ice, along with blowing snow and whiteout conditions. In some cases the temperature can drop over 50 degrees in a matter of hours. Whether it be exposure to the cold, vehicle accidents caused by slick roads, or fires resulting from the improper use of heaters, hundreds of people are injured or killed each year as a direct result of winter weather.  

Winter storms range from a moderate snow over a few hours to a massive blizzard with blinding, wind-driven snow that lasts for several days. Some winter storms are large enough to affect several states while others affect only a single community.

High winds, freezing rain or sleet, heavy snowfall, and dangerously cold temperatures are the main hazards associated with winter storms. Impassable snow drifts can maroon people at home without utilities or other services for days after an event. Heavy snowfall and blizzards easily trap motorists in their vehicles and make walking to find help a deadly effort. Bitter cold temperatures and wind chills during and after a winter storm can lead to hypothermia and kill anyone caught outside for too long. The aftermath of a winter storm can impact a community or region for days, weeks or even months, incurring steep economic costs.

The chart below shows how the different types of winter precipitation are formed.

• Snow: Frozen precipitation that never melts during its descent to the surface

• Sleet: Frozen precipitation falls through a warm layer and melts, then falls through another cold layer that is deep enough to refreeze the raindrops into pellets before hitting the ground.

• Freezing Rain: Frozen precipitation falls through a warm layer and melts, then falls on surfaces that are below freezing and solidifies, resulting in an even coating of ice on streets, trees, cars, and power lines.

• Rain: Frozen precipitation that falls through a deep warm layer and melts into liquid before reaching the ground. Water droplets are classified as rain if they are 0.5 millimeters or greater in size, whereas droplets smaller than 0.5 millimeters are classified as drizzle.

How the 博体育 Keeps You Informed

The 博体育 issues four "tiers" of alerts to inform you of incoming hazardous weather. Please take a moment to review and understand the differences between them.

Below is a break down the different alerts issued by the 博体育 in Sioux Falls.

Extreme Cold

Extremely cold air comes every winter in at least part of the country and affects millions of people across the United States. Extreme cold can come with (wind chill) or without wind - cold is cold and can quickly become life threatening if the proper precautions aren't followed.

New for the 2024-2025 winter, the 博体育 will no longer issue Wind Chill Warnings or Wind Chill Advisories. Instead, Extreme Cold Warnings and Cold Weather Advisories will be issued, which are based on apparent temperature. Apparent temperature is the ambient air temperature when there is no wind (calm conditions) or the wind chill when there is wind. These changes are part of the 博体育 Hazard Simplification Program. For more details, please see this fact sheet. 

Wind Chill

What is the Wind Chill Temperature?

Note: Wind chill temperature is only defined for temperatures at or below 50°F and wind speeds above 3 mph. Bright sunshine may increase the wind chill temperature by 10 to 18°F.

Frostbite

Occurs when the body's survival mechanisms kick in during extremely cold weather. To protect your vital inner organs, the body will cut off the circulation to your extremities: fingers, toes, nose, ears, etc., which will eventually freeze and cause damage to body tissue. This can occur within a matter of minutes during extremely cold temperatures if exposed skin is improperly protected.  

Hypothermia

Is caused by prolonged exposure to very cold temperatures and occurs when a person's body temperature drops below 96°F. While hypothermia is most likely to occur at very cold temperatures, it can also occur at cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person become chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.

If you or someone you care about must venture outdoors during extreme cold this winter, dress in layers. Cover exposed skin to reduce your risk of frostbite or hypothermia. Try to seek shelter from the wind as much as possible while outside. Once inside again, change into dry clothing immediately if you are wet.

Symptoms and First Aid

Safety

Being safe in dangerous winter weather means not only to taking the appropriate steps during the storm, but also having the right supplies beforehand. If you wait to stock up on supplies until a watch or warning is issued, you run the risk of the supplies being out of stock or the store being closed.

At Home:

Beforehand

The checklist below provides some basic guidance on what to have in your house/apartment during the winter should you be trapped by the snow or lose electricity. This is not an exhaustive list.

Food and water are vital necessities during a winter storm; however, these foods should be safe to consume should power be lost. Use the checklist below to help stock your shelves.

 **If permissible, a generator is a valuable asset to power key household appliances. Carefully follow all directions provided with the generator!**

Additional information on assembling home disaster kits can be found on the  website.

During the Event

During severe winter weather, the best advice is to stay inside your house. Plummeting temperatures and high winds that often accompany winter storms allow frostbite and hypothermia to set in quickly if you are outside. Also, road conditions will likely be very treacherous, especially if you live in rural areas. Monitor local media outlets for the latest information on the storm.

In Your Vehicle:

Beforehand

Each fall, take the time to go through your vehicle and winterize it.

More importantly, make sure you carry a winter survival kit in your car in case you get stranded. You can use a large plastic tote or box to hold all of the needed items. If you already have one in your car, go through it and make sure it is fully stocked and ensure that any perishable items are still good to use. Items that should be in a winter survival kit are covered in the checklist below.

During the Event

Outside:

Below are some tips for staying warm if you must venture outside in a winter storm or cold weather.

• Wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing (shirts, pants, socks, etc.) rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.
• Wear mittens, which are warmer than gloves.
• Wear a hat which will prevent the loss of body heat.
• Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
• Avoid overexertion, such as shoveling heavy snow, pushing a car, or walking in deep snow. The strain from the cold and the hard labor may cause a heart attack. Sweating could lead to a chill and hypothermia.

If you are planning to take a hunting, camping, or other extended outdoor trip in the mid fall to mid spring timeframe, pay attention to the weather in the days leading up to the trip. If severe winter weather is forecast, consider postponing the trip. If you do head out:

• Pack extra warm clothes, such as coats, hats, and mittens, as well as an additional change of regular clothes should you get wet. Many times, especially in the fall, warm summer-like weather can precede a dangerous winter storm, lulling people into a false sense of security.
• Let friends and family know your travel plans and carry a cell phone. Ask people back home to routinely check the weather and call you if conditions are expected to deteriorate.
• If you own a smartphone and have internet access at your location, you can use your phone to check on the latest weather conditions and if any watches and/or warnings are issued.
• Carry a portable radio or NOAA Weather Radio to check on weather conditions.

Educational Materials

Winter storms can bring snow, sleet, and freezing rain across the entire United States and its territories. In some cases the temperature can drop over 50 degrees in a matter of hours. Refer to the resources below to learn how winter storms form, and how you can keep you and your family safe!

Videos

Check out these new videos created by the 博体育!