Winter StormsWinter Storms

IntroductionIntroductionA. Snow falls when humid air cools to A. Snow falls when humid air cools to below 0° Celsius (32° Fahrenheit)below 0° Celsius (32° Fahrenheit)B1. Heavy snow can make roads impassible B1. Heavy snow can make roads impassible

so traffic cannot get throughso traffic cannot get throughB2. Power lines can be knocked down B2. Power lines can be knocked down causing power outagescausing power outages

Lake-effect snowLake-effect snowC. Heavy pockets of snow that form on the C. Heavy pockets of snow that form on the east side of the Great Lakes east side of the Great Lakes D. Cities of the southeast sides of the Great D. Cities of the southeast sides of the Great Lakes are often Lakes are often impactedimpacted

E. FormationE. Formation1. The cold dry air passes over the lakes and 1. The cold dry air passes over the lakes and

picks up moisture and heat.picks up moisture and heat.2. As the air moves over the colder land, the 2. As the air moves over the colder land, the

air cools, the water condenses, creates air cools, the water condenses, creates clouds. clouds.

3. The cold air cannot 3. The cold air cannot hold the moisture hold the moisture and it falls out in and it falls out in the form of snow.the form of snow.

F. Snowstorm SafetyF. Snowstorm Safety

1. Seek shelter from the wind and cold 1. Seek shelter from the wind and cold temperaturestemperatures

2. Avoid getting wet. 2. Avoid getting wet. 3. Cover exposed parts of your body3. Cover exposed parts of your body4. Frostbite- condition where skin body tissue is 4. Frostbite- condition where skin body tissue is

damaged due to extreme colddamaged due to extreme cold5. Hypothermia- body temperature drops below 5. Hypothermia- body temperature drops below

the required temperature for normal body the required temperature for normal body functionsfunctions

G. Additional InformationG. Additional Information

Blizzard ConditionsBlizzard Conditions1. 35 mph sustained winds1. 35 mph sustained winds2. Heavy snow or blowing snow- limits 2. Heavy snow or blowing snow- limits

visibilityvisibility3. 3 hours3. 3 hours4. Low temperatures and much lower wind 4. Low temperatures and much lower wind

chillschills