[californiadisasters] Pac.NW's Winter Weather Awareness Week

Introduction to
Winter Weather Safety and Awareness Week

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The week of October 17-23 is Winter Weather Awareness Week in the Pacific Northwest, including the states of Idaho, Oregon and Washington. This is an excellent time for all individuals, families, businesses, schools, radio and television stations to review their winter weather preparedness plans. It is especially important for persons new to the region to become familiar with NOAA's National Weather Service Watch and Warning definitions, as well as winter weather safety procedures.

Moose! Photo by Arno Krum, Stony River Lodge, AK

Each day, a new topic will be discussed, along with new informational links:

Introduction

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

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Winter in the Pacific Northwest can be quite hazardous, with snow and ice in the mountains, heavy rains on the coast, and even biting cold with dangerous wind chill across the Columbia Basin. All areas of the Pacific Northwest have experienced nearly every type of winter weather possible, from blizzards to ice, from flooding rains to biting cold. Each year, dozens of Amercians die due to prolonged exposure to the cold. Major winter storms can last several days, and be accompanied by strong winds, freezing rain or sleet, heavy snowfall, cold temperatures, and various forms of flooding. Heavy snow in the mountains is important for the skiing industry, and for filling reservoirs. However, these storms also produce travel dangers and create life threatening conditions. To help our communities learn more about these dangers, NOAA's National Weather Service will issue the following Public Information Statements throughout the week to give safety information, and help you know how to respond when severe weather threatens: October 17 : Introduction to Winter Weather and Awareness October 18 : Winter Weather Safety...Terminology, and Dissemination October 19 : Winter Weather Outlooks, Watches, Warnings and Advisories October 20 : Blizzards, Snow & Ice Storms, Wind Chill, and Avalanches October 21 : Floods October 22 : Windstorms (east and west of Cascades) October 23 : Summary of Winter Weather and Awareness Remember, in times of hazardous winter weather, you can get all these vital NOAA/National Weather Service messages via NOAA Weather Radio, your favorite local media, or through NOAA's National Weather Service websites. This message is brought to you by your local NOAA National Weather Service staff, local and state emergency management officials. For questions about local Winter Weather Preparedness, contact your local NOAA National Weather Service Office: local office contact by email contact by phone Medford Ryan Sandler 541-773-1067 Seattle Ted Buehner 206-526-6087 Spokane Anthony Cavallucci 509-244-6395 Pendleton Dennis Hull 541-276-4493 Portland Tyree Wilde 503-261-9246 Boise Paul Flatt 208-334-9861 Pocatello Vern Preston 208-233-0834

Source: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/winterawareweek.php

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