WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS WEEK

November 13-19, 2016

http://www.weather.gov/ilx/winter-prep                                     FACT SHEET- 2016

Cold Temperatures
- 182 people have died from exposure to cold temperatures in the state of Illinois since 1996. This is much more than severe thunderstorms and tornadoes (64 deaths), floods (48 deaths) and lightning (19 deaths) – combined during the same period.
- The coldest temperature on record in the state occurred on January 5, 1999 when the mercury dipped to -36 °F near Congerville in Woodford County!
- Hypothermia sets in when your body’s temperature drops below 95 degrees. Because hypothermia is based on your body’s temperature and not the air temperature, it is possible to get hypothermia even when the air temperature is in the mid-60s. Keep your home at 68 degrees or warmer.

Winter Storms

- Illinois normally experiences five severe winter storms each year. During the winter of 2015-16 there were four severe winter storms, compared to nine the previous winter.
- As few as two (in the winters of 1921-1922 and 1980-1981), and as many as 18 winter storms (in the winters of 1977-1978 and 1981-1982) have occurred. There has not been a winter in Illinois without a winter storm in the past century.
- Heavy snow can immobilize a region and paralyze a city, stranding commuters, closing airports, stopping the flow of supplies, and disrupting emergency and medical services.

- Snow, ice storms and freezing rain are deadly for drivers. In Illinois, snow and ice covered roads result in an average of 27,900 vehicle crashes each year. The accidents also produce an average of 4,338 injuries and 49 fatalities annually.
 If the temperature is below 32, drive like you’re on ice - you may be! Make sure you have food, water and blankets in your trunk. Stay off the roads when advised to do so by local authorities.

Snow
- Average annual snowfall ranges from nearly
40 inches of snow north of Chicago, to as
little as 5 inches in the southern tip of Illinois
- In central Illinois, average snowfall is 20 to
25 inches, while areas south of I-70
normally experience 12 to 16 inches
- The average liquid water to snow ratio in
central IL is 13:1 (This means, on average, there are 13.0” of snow for
every 1.00” of liquid / melted snow)

Ice Storms
- Locations from just south of Quincy, through Lincoln, to
Watseka experience more freezing rain and ice storms
than any other part of the state, on average.
- Several major ice storms have impacted Illinois
recently. The most recent was in southeast Illinois on
Feb. 1-2, 2011 which created week-long power outages
and nearly $10 Million damage to power poles and
lines, as well as trees.

Winter Flooding
- Winter flooding is particularly dangerous. It can occur due to heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt and ice jams. Evacuating into cold waters can RAPIDLY result in hypothermia
- Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Never drive into floodwaters!
- Six inches of swiftly moving water can knock an adult over and sweep him or her away. Twelve inches of water can float a small car. 18-24 inches of water will carry off most large vehicles.
- More than 50 percent of flooding fatalities occur in vehicles.

Fog

-  Driving in fog is dangerous due to reduced visibility
-  A Dense Fog Advisory means that widespread visibility reductions of a quarter of a mile or less are expected or occurring.
- If you encounter fog, slow down! This will give you more time to react to any obstacles you may encounter in the roadway. Leave extra space between you and the car ahead of you and turn on your headlights to low beams. Consider delaying your travel plans.

Know Your Risk, Take Action, Be a Force of Nature

1. Know Your Risk
● Check www.weather.gov/Lincoln every morning before you leave home. It may be sunny in the morning but snowing in the afternoon. Be prepared.

2. Take Action!
● Assemble an emergency supplies kit for your home. If an ice storm cuts power for several days, would you be prepared? Make sure that you have 72 hours of food, water and other necessary supplies in your kit.
● Write a family communications plan so that everyone in your life knows how to stay in touch. What if a blizzard trapped you away from home? Would your family know what to do? Would your friends know how to reach you? Make a plan today.

3. Be A Force of Nature
● You’re an inspiration. Let people know that you have an emergency supplies kit and family communications plan - doing so will inspire others to action. Share your preparedness story on social media using #WinterSafety. Help the National Weather Service build a Weather-Ready Nation.

Web Links
- Web page to monitor winter storms and get winter road conditions: http://www.weather.gov/ilx/winter_monitor
- Winter preparedness: http://www.weather.gov/ilx/winter-prep
- Social media page to follow NWS Lincoln Facebook, Twitter and You Tube Feeds: http://www.weather.gov/ilx/ilx_social_media