Prepare For Winter Weather Now
Governor Easley, in conjunction with the National Weather Service, will declare the week of Nov. 30 through Dec. 6, 2008, as Winter Weather Preparedness Week in North Carolina.
Every winter, people are injured or killed during winter storms in automobile accidents, and face other indirect dangers such as fallen trees, power lines and house fires. Improper indoor use of heat sources such as grills, stoves, and space heaters has become the number one winter danger resulting in house fires and deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. The goal of winter weather preparedness week is to re-educate North Carolinians on the hazards of winter weather and to help everyone become better prepared for these hazards before winter weather strikes.
Central North Carolina has seen relatively low amounts of snow for the last several winters. Since February of 2004, when 9.2 inches of snow fell at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), measurable snow has only fallen on four days – with the last occurrences on January 18 (1.0 inch) and February 1 (0.6 inch) of 2007.
The average yearly snowfall, based on data over the last 30 years, is about 7 inches. Of course, as those who have lived in this area for more than a few years can attest, central North Carolina is often a “feast or famine” location when it comes to snow and ice. Some years the region will receive just a trace of snow while in other years – such as the winter of 200 which included the January 25, 2000, storm that dropped up to two feet of snow in some spots and knocked out power to tens of thousands – we experience much greater amounts of snow and ice and a higher frequency of winter storms.
So, after several quiet winters with only light snow accumulations, are we “due” for a big, snowy winter?
While it is extremely difficult to predict the number of winter storms this season, weather patterns are changing to support a wetter winter than last year and perhaps near normal cold temperatures.
In Central North Carolina any snow the area receives is often accompanied by ice, in the form of sleet or glaze from freezing rain.
What North Carolinians can and should do is prepare for the worst. One good practice is to keep up with the latest conditions and forecasts from the National Weather Service, either via NOAA Weather Radio or on the Internet.
If a light accumulation of freezing rain or sleet is forecast, or if snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are expected in central North Carolina, the Raleigh NWS will issue a Winter Weather Advisory. If a quarter of an inch of freezing rain, a half-inch of sleet, and/or 4 or more inches of snow is expected, Winter Storm Watches and Warnings are issued. In order to provide the public with as much planning time as possible, Watches can be issued as much as 48 hours in advance. Warnings are issued when the dangerous weather is highly likely or imminent within the next 24 hours.
You can keep up with winter forecasts, warnings and advisories by visiting the Raleigh NWS online at http://weather.gov/raleigh. For the latest road conditions and access to web cameras statewide, visit the Department of Transportation online at http://www.ncsmartlink.org. And for more winter weather safety tips, visit http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winter/. All of us in the National Weather Service wish you a safe winter season!
Prepared by:
Bill Fuller
Web Content Manager
Public Affairs Department
For More Information Contact:
Jayne Kirkpatrick
Director
Public Affairs Department
222 West Hargett Street
Raleigh, NC 27602
919-996-3100
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