Winter Weather Safety and Product Information

Winter Weather Safety and
Product Information

Safety Information

It is important to have a safety kit both at home and in the car that can be used not only in winter weather situations but also for other emergencies. Ready Georgia provides a list of items to include in your emergency kit. The following safety tips are provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross. More information can be found at https://www.weather.gov/safety/winter.

If caught outside in a winter storm:

Try to find a shelter.
If no shelter is available:
- Try to stay dry.
- Cover all exposed body parts.
- Build a fire for heat and to attract attention.

If stuck in a vehicle during a winter storm:

Stay in your vehicle.
Run the motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat.
Open the window a little for fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
Turn on the dome light at night when running the engine to be visible to the rescuers.
Tie a colored cloth, preferably red, to your antenna or door.
After snow stops falling, raise the hood to indicate you need help.
From time to time, move arms, legs, fingers and toes vigorously to keep blood circulating and to keep warm.

If inside during a winter storm:

Stay inside!
When using alternate heat from a fireplace, wood stove, space heater, etc. use fire safeguards and properly ventilate.
If there is no heat:
- Close off unneeded rooms.
- Stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors.
- Cover windows at night.
- Eat and drink. Food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat. Keep the body replenished with fluids to prevent dehydration.
- Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Remove layers to avoid overheating, perspiration and subsequent chill.

Health Hazards

Frostbite and hypothermia are two health hazards associated with cold weather. According to NOAA's Winter Storms: The Deceptive Killers handout, frostbite is damage to body tissue caused by extreme cold. A wind chill of -20°F will cause frostbite in just 30 minutes. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately! If you must wait for help, slowly rewarm the affected areas. However, if the person is also showing signs of hypothermia, warm the body core before the extremities.

In NOAA's Winter Storms: The Deceptive Killers it is discussed how hypothermia is a condition that can kill and is brought on when the body temperature drops to less than 95°F. Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. Take the person's temperature and if below 95°F, seek medical care immediately.

Winter Weather Products

Updated as of 2024: Cold Weather Products

Cold Weather Product Criteria

Product

Conditions Expected

Cold Weather Advisory

*replaces Wind Chill Advisory

Issued for temperatures or wind chills that are seasonably cold. These temperatures may be hazardous under specific circumstances. The criteria vary across the state of Georgia (North Georgia mountains: -4 to 5 degrees F, along Interstate 20 including the Atlanta Metro: 1 to 10 degrees F, and Central Georgia: 6 to 15 degrees F).

Extreme Cold Watch/Warning

*replaces Wind Chill Watch/Warning*

Issued for temperatures or wind chills that are dangerous, action should be taken. The criteria vary across the state of Georgia (North Georgia mountains: -5 degrees F or lower, along Interstate 20 including the Atlanta Metro: 0 degrees F or lower, and Central Georgia: 5 degrees F or lower).

Map of Criteria

Outlook

Product	Conditions Expected
Hazardous Weather Outlook	Issued 3-7 days before an event for a 30% or greater chance of a hazardous winter weather event that may require a watch/warning in a later forecast. Issued as ATLHWOFFC. May issue Special Weather Statement (ATLSPSFFC) at forecaster discretion.

Watch

Product

Conditions Expected

Winter Storm Watch

Issued 36-48 hours in advance of an event for a 50% or greater chance of conditions favorable for a significant winter storm (including heavy sleet, heavy snow, or ice storm). Winter storm conditions include 2 or more inches of snow, 1/2 inch or more of sleet, or 1/4 inch or more of freezing rain. May be issued at forecaster and emergency management discretion when significant impacts are expected but the snow, sleet, or freezing rain criteria are not necessarily met. Issued as ATLWSWFFC.

Advisory

Product	Conditions Expected
Winter Weather Advisory	Issued 12-24 hours before an event for an 80% or greater chance of a winter precipitation event (snow, freezing rain/drizzle, sleet or blowing snow) which causes inconveniences but does not meet warning criteria. Issued as ATLWSWFFC.

Warning

Product	Conditions Expected
Winter Storm Warning	Issued up to 36 hours before an event for an 80% or greater chance of a winter weather event that meets at least one of these criteria: 2 or more inches of snow, 1/2 inch or more of sleet, or 1/4 inch or more of freezing rain. May be issued at forecaster and emergency management discretion when significant impacts are expected but the snow, sleet, or freezing rain criteria are not necessarily met. Issued as ATLWSWFFC.
Ice Storm Warning	Issued up to 36 hours before an event for an 80% or greater chance of a 1/4 inch or more of freezing rain. May be issued at forecaster and emergency management discretion when significant impacts are expected but the freezing rain criteria is not necessarily met. Issued as ATLWSWFFC.
Blizzard Warning	Issued up to 36 hours before an event for an 80% or greater chance of sustained or frequent wind gusts to 35mph or greater and considerable falling and/or blowing snow reducing visibility to less than 1/4 mile for 3 hours or more. Issued as ATLWSWFFC.