My local weather report teaser this morning mentioned 80 degrees this week, but “not to get used to it.” We can expect temperatures to drop again soon. However, we North Texans aren’t as worried as the over 50 million New Englanders bracing for what could be a historical winter storm. Afterschool activities have already been cancelled Monday evening in New York City and Mayor Bill de Blasio is encouraging all commuters to stay home in preparation for Winter Storm Juno.
On Monday, January 26, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a blizzard warning from New Jersey to Maine and a winter storm warning from the panhandle of West Virginia to Maryland:
A blizzard warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities will lead to whiteout conditions… making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If you must travel… have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded… stay with your vehicle. All unnecessary travel is discouraged beginning Monday afternoon….to allow people already on the road to safely reach their destinations before they heavy snow begins… and to allow snow removal equipment to begin to clear roads.
The 24-hour event is likely to dump up to three feet of snow over a 250-mile radius, with damaging wind gusts up to 75 miles per hour. Weather experts predict Winter Storm Juno could be the worst winter storm the region has ever seen. Huge waves are likely to cause ice coverage and damage to buildings, as well as widespread flooding. Mayor de Blasio said, “Don’t underestimate this storm. Prepare for the worst.”
A winter storm becomes a blizzard when snow reaches 18 to 24 inches in height, falling 2 to 4 inches per hour; winds reach 20 to 30 miles per hour, gusting up to 55 mph; visibility is a quarter mile or less, and temperatures drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Travel conditions will be treacherous and in some areas impossible. New York City is preparing with 500 salt trucks and 2,000 snowplows to help clear over 6,000 miles of roads. The National Guard and Coast Guard have also repositioned equipment to help. The city will close the New York State Thruway, Long Island Expressway and trains on Metro-North, PATH and Long Island railroads. Airlines have already cancelled over 5,000 flights. It is highly likely that thousands will lose power for days, especially along the coast.
When stuck inside without power, it is important to stay warm, fed, hydrated and safe. If you must travel, it is imperative you have a cold-weather emergency kit in your car including water, blankets, non-perishable foods and a shovel.
The Shooter’s Log has over 45 articles to help you prepare for severe winter weather, detailing all of the things you need to stay warm and safe. To read them all, click here.
For the top-12 winter weather survival tips, read these following articles:
Traveling
Last year, unprepared drivers in Atlanta, Georgia became stuck on highways overnight due to icy road conditions. One of them, Jeff Jones had only his coat and cell phone. Throughout the night, he abandoned his vehicle in search of food, water and a bathroom. In “Winter Storm Preparedness: Everyone Should Have a Little Junk in the Trunk”; you will find a checklist of everything you need to keep in the trunk in case you become stranded roadside during a blizzard. For more details on why you need these items, read, “Build an Emergency Kit for Your Car.”
- Winter Storm Preparedness: Everyone Should Have a Little Junk in the Trunk
- Build an Emergency Kit for Your Car
10 Safety Rules for Spending a Night in Your Car
Do you already keep an emergency kit in your car? Do you know what actions to take to survive the night and increase your chances of rescue? In “10 Safety Rules for Spending a Night in Your Car,” we offer 10 survival tips for having to spend hours stuck on the side of the road.
Travel during whiteout conditions is just not safe. If you cannot avoid travelling or get hit unexpectedly in a blizzard these two articles about driving in snow and ice will help you travel safely and get you back on the road should you skid off.
Staying Warm
Staying Safe and Warm: How to Prepare for an Ice Storm
In this quintessential guide to preparing for severe winter weather, I describe in detail how much food and what types to keep on hand and how to heat that food and discuss the importance of storing enough water. I suggest what to wear, share ways to heat your home, and write about how to stay safe and mention lighting essentials.
Cold Weather Gear
You probably do not want to venture outside when there is a blizzard. If you must get out checking on neighbors, trekking to the store or shoveling snow from the walkway, you need to wear the right protective gear. In “Cold Weather Gear,” the author discusses the appropriate clothing to keep you warm in extreme cold temperatures from an insulating core to the importance of protecting and covering your head.
How to Survive Extremely Cold Conditions
Humans are not built for extreme cold temperatures. It is only through our ability to make tools in order to survive that helps us adapt. This article goes into detail of the dangers when extreme cold is present and how to survive if you spend a good deal of time adventuring outdoors in severe winter weather.
What is a Cold Weather Kit?
Have you ever had it so cold in your home that ice formed on the windows from the inside? I have. Stock up on these six must-haves to keep you warm when the power goes out.
Staying Safe
How to Prevent and Treat Hypothermia
Did you know that shivering could be a sign you are suffering from mild hypothermia? Hypothermia occurs when our bodies lose heat faster than we can make it. You are at risk for hypothermia when your body temperature falls as little as just three degrees below 98.6 to 95 degrees. Learn how to detect, treat and prevent hypothermia in this article.
Fire and Ice—One of These is Preventable: Fire Safety in the Home
House fires increase during the colder months. Candles and alternative forms of heat are often to blame. Do not become one of the 365,000 plus victims of house fires this year. With education, precaution and a fire escape plan, you can prevent a house fire.
Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Propane heaters, gas stoves, wood burning fireplaces, gas furnaces and almost all other alternative forms of heat emit carbon monoxide. Faulty appliances and poor ventilation can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and even death. In fact, about 500 Americans a year dies from CO inhalation. Learn how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in this article.
Will Winter Storm Juno affect you? Tell us how you are preparing in the comment section.
[suzanne]
The greatest selection is to sell the auto tto a junk yard.
In addition to these factors, age may also play a vital role in determining
the success oof renting a car with a debit card.
Another gut-wrenching choice when contemplating the condominium lifestyle is the
query of a pet.
Those of us that are prepared for emergencies don’t have much to worry about. I spent the day setting things up for the storm and securing things that needed to be. I am spending tonight and the next day or so at my firehouse (I am Captain of the station) and my wife is all set with everything she needs at home. Since I am only a couple of miles away I can run home if she needs assistance.
Those folks that need to run out at the last minute to try and prep after being whipped into a frenzy by the media are fools. The funny thing is….THEY NEVER LEARN!!!