Ready for changing seasons?

  • Published
  • By 1Lt. Chris Higgins
  • 12th Operational Weather Flight
Scott AFB, Ill. --  Winter weather surprises...

Are you ready for the Changing Seasons like the one that just hit the region?

With each passing day the sun gets lower and lower on the horizon and those cold fronts get stronger and stronger. We are nearing the time when winter weather will become a very real concern; and around here that means everything from blizzards to tornadoes!

Nationwide each year, dozens of Americans die in severe winter weather. Whether from exposure/hypothermia or tragic automobile accidents on icy roads - winter weather poses a substantial risk if not taken seriously. In fact, according to NOAA statistics, 70% of all injuries during ice and snow are in traffic accidents.

Because Scott Air Force Base is located in the middle of the country, we rarely get JUST snow. The typical progression of winter storm here goes as follows:

· Start off with several hours of cold rain

· As the temperature drops, the rain changes to freezing rain or sleet

· The icy mix changes to heavy wet snow

The average snow storm here will put down 1" to 4" of snow. On rare occasions, totals can exceed 6". On the surface that doesn't sound too bad. But when that small amount of snow mixes with freezing rain and sleet - the roads become very dangerous.

Overpasses, on/off ramps and roads that run along the crest of hills can be among the most dangerous during a winter storm.

Even after the weather has improved and crews have cleared the roads, you need to be watchful for "black ice" This is a thin, transparent layer of ice that forms when melting snow refreezes on roads after dark.

We get a lot of that around here and it has lead to many accidents. It can also form on sidewalks and walkways so you need to watch where and how you step.

There is nothing we can do to prevent winter weather from happening. However, there is plenty we can do to mitigate the danger it creates. By staying informed on changing weather conditions and knowing what to do when winter weather hits, we can all improve our chances of getting through this winter safely! For more information on winter weather safety, go to

http://www.weather.gov/om/winterstorm/winterstorms.pdf

Or check out "weatherman Chris Higgins" and friends at:
http://www.myfoxstl.com/myfox/

If you are concerned about ice or snow and safe driving to a UTA drill, contact your supervisor.