December 2 - 6, 2024 is Winter Weather Awareness Week in Delaware. The Delaware Emergency Management Agency, Delaware Department of Transportation, National Weather Service, and county emergency management agencies are teaming up to share important information and resources so people can be prepared and stay safe during cold weather, snow, ice, and other emergencies.
Each day during this week will emphasize a different weather hazard and provide you with associated safety tips:
On Monday, the topic will be winter preparedness.
On Tuesday, the topic will be heavy snow.
On Wednesday, the topic will be ice.
On Thursday, the topic will be extreme cold.
On Friday, the topic will be on Nor'easters and other coastal storms.
.png)
Before the first snowflakes even fall, there are steps we can take to prepare for winter weather! Read the list below. Even if you have completed these in years past, it is important to review these items to ensure everything is up to date!
Preseason Winter Readiness Checklist:
Stay Connected!
Additional winter preparedness resources
PrepareDE.org information on natural hazards
Even though the winter of 2022-2023 brought us some of the least snow on record, our region can be prone to heavy snow. If a winter storm watch has been issued, that means a combination of heavy snow, sleet, and/or freezing rain enough to cause significant impacts is possible; with winter storm watches, stay tuned the forecast and be prepared to adjust travel plans if a warning is issued. Below are some tips to keep in mind for dealing with heavy snow. If a winter storm warning is issued, that means that a combination of heavy snow, sleet, or freezing rain enough to cause significant impacts is expected soon or already occurring. Travel will become (or already) dangerous.
At Home
During a winter storm, it is best to stay home. Even at home though, there are important safety tips to keep in mind.
Travel and Heavy Snow
If you have travel plans, adjust plans so you won't be driving in heavy snow or on snow covered roads. If you must travel during or just after heavy snow, give plows plenty of space on the roads, and take the time to remove snow and ice from your vehicle before traveling. The DelDOT mobile app and webpage provide access to more than 100 cameras statewide to view current road conditions before traveling.
Additional information on heavy snow safety can be found at:
Just a few degrees can mean the difference between rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow! It isn't just the temperature at the ground level either that is important, but temperatures in the layer from the ground up to the bottom of the cloud. In our region, Nor'easters and coastal storms will frequently result in a layer of warm air in between the ground and the cloud which can result in sleet or freezing rain. Sleet and freezing rain bring their own issues and impacts.
Freezing Rain
Freezing rain is when precipitation falls as rain, but then freezes when coming into contact with the ground or other objects. It results in a glaze of ice that can be incredibly hazardous for driving or even just walking outdoors! Even very small amounts of freezing rain can result in very treacherous driving conditions. The best thing to do during freezing rain is shelter at home!
Freezing rain, more than other types of winter weather, can cause long duration power outages, affecting both you and the surrounding area. That's why it is so important to have an emergency kit in your home and a supply of food and medications ahead of the storm! Be careful with heat and light sources, as some commonly used ones, like candles and space heaters are fire risks.
Sleet
Similar to freezing rain, sleet melts in a layer of warm air above the surface. Unlike freezing rain though, when sleet forms, there is a deep layer of cold air below the warm air that allows the precipitation to refreeze as tiny transparent or translucent pellets of ice. Sleet can have it's own sets of hazards. Like snow, it can accumulate enough to require shoveling to clear driveways and pathways. However, it is far denser than snow making it more challenging to clear. It is critical to take frequent breaks when shoveling sleet. Sleet can also result in very treacherous driving conditions.
More information on sleet and freezing rain safety is available here.
Even if the area isn't experiencing snow, sleet, or freezing rain, cold weather can bring hazards and impacts. People exposed to extreme cold are susceptible to frostbite and can succumb to hypothermia in a matter of minutes. If you are heading outdoors, be sure to dress warmly. Its important to dress in multiple layers as the layers of air in between the clothing layers act as additional insulation to the cold.
It is important to know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia and the appropriate actions to take if someone may have those conditions!
For more information on cold weather safety, visit the safety page here
The most impactful types of winter storms in our region are Nor'easters and other coastal storms. These are storms that track along or near our coast. Because of this track, these storms tend to have a lot of moisture and can be slow moving. These types of storms are also prone to seeing a mix of precipitation types including rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow - and can vary over just a matter of a few miles!
Not only do they have the potential to bring heavy wintry precipitation, but they can bring other hazards too including coastal/tidal flooding and high winds. In addition to preparedness tips mentioned previously for wintry precipitation and cold weather, ahead of Nor'easters, you'll also want to take the following precautions:
Additional resources:
Radar
Current Weather
Rivers & Lakes
Satellite
Forecast Maps
Hour by Hour Forecast
Winter Weather
Graphical Hazards
Coastal Flood
Marine Forecasts
Text Products
Climate Information
Skywarn
Submit Storm Report
Weather Event Archives
Forecast Discussion
Emergency Managers
Briefing Page
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on YouTube
PHI RSS Feed