KNOW YOUR WINTER STORM AND EXTREME COLD
TERMS
Severe
winter storms can cause widespread damage and disruption. Heavy snow often results in paralyzed
transportation systems, automobile accidents due to slippery roads and stranded
vehicles. Glazing from ice storms
topples utility lines and poles and makes travel virtually impossible. These conditions can be a threat to
life. Nearly 80 people in the United
States die from winter storms and extreme cold every year.
The
National Weather Service uses the terms listed below to convey the weather
threat to the public. It is important
that everyone understands these terms and knows what protective actions need to
be taken.
·
Winter Storm Watch --
Indicates severe winter weather such as heavy snow or ice is possible within
the next day or two. Prepare now!
·
Winter Storm Warning --
Indicates severe winter weather conditions are occurring, imminent, or highly
likely. Stay indoors!
·
Heavy Snow Warning --
Snowfall of six inches or more in north and central Illinois, four inches or
more in southern Illinois.
·
Ice Storm Warning --
Heavy accumulations of ice will create extremely dangerous travel and damage
trees and power lines.
·
Blizzard Warning --
Snow and strong winds will combine to produce blinding snow, near zero
visibility, deep drifts, and life threatening wind chill.
·
Wind Chill Warning --
Life threatening wind chills of 25 below zero or colder.
·
Snow Advisory --
Snowfall of three to five inches in northern and central Illinois, two to four
inches in southern Illinois.
·
Winter Weather Advisory --
Indicates winter weather conditions will cause significant inconveniences and
may be hazardous, especially to motorists. Use caution!
·
Wind Chill Advisory --
Dangerous wind chills of 15 to 24 below zero.
·
Freezing Rain Advisory --
Light accumulations of ice will cause hazardous travel.
·
Blowing/Drifting Snow Advisory --
Poor visibility and hazardous driving conditions.
·
Freezing Fog Advisory --
Very light ice accumulation on roadways, bridge decks and overpasses,
predominately from fog, causing hazardous travel.
·
Wind Chill -
- A calculation of how cold it feels outside when the effects of temperature
and wind speed are combined.
·
Freezing Rain --
Rain that freezes upon impact with the ground, creating a coating of ice on
roads and walkways.
·
Sleet --
Pellets of ice, created by frozen raindrops. Sleet bounces when hitting a
surface and does not stick to objects. An accumulation of sleet can make roads
slick and hazardous.
“A severe winter storm could prevent
you from leaving your home for several days, perhaps leaving you without
electricity or heat” Lawler said. “A
basic home preparedness kit can help you get through winter storms and other
emergencies throughout the year.”
Items in the kit should include:
- Three
day supply of non-perishable food
- Bottled
water
- Battery-operated
radio, NOAA weather radio and batteries
- Flashlight
and batteries
- First
aid kit
- Extra
medications and special items for babies, the disabled and the elderly
The Village will utilize VOB-TV4 and
the Village website to provide residents with updated emergency information
during extreme weather or other emergency conditions. Please visit channel 4 and the Village
website frequently during these severe weather events.
For more information, please call the
Barrington Police Department at (847) 304-3300.
Severe weather information is also available on these websites: National Weather Service Forecast office www.crh.noaa.gov/lot; Illinois Emergency
Management Agency www.state.il.us/iema;
American Red Cross www.redcross.org; and
Illinois Department of Transportation Road Conditions www.dot.il.gov/operations/inetcond.html.
