What is a winter alert? Your Guide to Health and Safety During Severe Weather

According to the National Weather Service, winter weather is a leading cause of transportation accidents and can lead to dangerous health conditions like hypothermia and frostbite. Understanding what is a winter alert? is crucial for preparing and protecting yourself and your family from these seasonal dangers.

Quick Summary

A winter alert is a broad term for notifications from meteorological agencies, such as the National Weather Service, that signal hazardous cold weather conditions. These alerts include specific classifications, like watches, advisories, and warnings, each indicating a different level of threat and requiring appropriate preparatory or responsive actions to protect health and ensure safety.

Key Points

• Alert Levels: A watch means prepare, an advisory means be aware and cautious, and a warning means take immediate action for imminent danger.

• Key Health Risks: Be vigilant for hypothermia (low body temperature), frostbite (freezing of skin), heart attack from overexertion, and carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Home Preparation is Vital: Winterize your home, stock a 3-day emergency kit with water and non-perishables, and ensure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

• Prioritize Driving Safety: Avoid unnecessary travel, slow down, increase following distance, and equip your car with an emergency kit for any mandatory trips.

• Protect the Vulnerable: Remember to check on older adults, young children, people with disabilities, and unsheltered individuals, as they are most at risk during extreme cold.

Deciphering the Hierarchy of Winter Alerts

A winter alert is not a single, universal notification but rather a family of terms used by weather authorities to communicate the severity and timing of upcoming winter conditions. Understanding the distinctions between these terms is the first step toward effective preparation.

Winter Storm Watch: Be Prepared

• A watch indicates that conditions are favorable for a significant winter storm.
• It is typically issued 12 to 48 hours in advance, giving you time to prepare your home and vehicle and gather supplies.
• A watch means a winter storm is possible, but not certain.

Winter Weather Advisory: Be Aware

• An advisory is issued for winter weather events that are less severe than a warning but are still hazardous.
• Conditions like light snow, freezing rain, or sleet are expected to cause significant inconvenience and could be hazardous if caution is not exercised.
• An advisory means to proceed with caution and be prepared for changing road conditions.

Winter Storm Warning: Take Action!

• A warning means a dangerous winter storm is happening or is imminent.
• This is a threat to life and property, indicating travel will become very difficult or impossible.
• Immediate action is required to ensure your safety.

Other Specific Warnings

• Blizzard Warning

  Issued for severe winter storms with sustained winds of 35 mph or higher, heavy snow, and low visibility for at least three hours.

• Ice Storm Warning

  Indicates that ice accumulation of at least a quarter-inch is expected, which can cause significant damage to trees and power lines.

• Wind Chill Warning

  This is issued for dangerously low wind chill values that can cause frostbite in a short period.

Major Health Risks During Cold Weather

Extreme cold is more than just uncomfortable; it poses several serious health risks that require a proactive approach.

• Hypothermia: A dangerous drop in body temperature. Early signs include shivering, exhaustion, and confusion.
• Frostbite: An injury caused by freezing, most often affecting extremities like fingers, toes, ears, and nose. Skin may appear waxy, pale, or white.
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: This colorless, odorless gas can build up from improper use of indoor fuel-burning appliances. It can cause headaches, dizziness, and death.
• Cardiovascular Strain: Shoveling heavy snow or overexerting yourself in the cold can put a significant strain on the heart, leading to heart attacks, especially in older adults.
• Slips and Falls: Icy conditions dramatically increase the risk of serious injuries from falls.

Your Winter Emergency Action Plan

Preparation is the key to minimizing risk during a winter alert. A comprehensive plan should cover both your home and vehicle.

Home Preparedness

1. Winterize your home: Insulate walls, caulk leaks, and weather-strip doors and windows to conserve heat.
2. Assemble an emergency kit: Include at least a three-day supply of water and non-perishable food, flashlights with extra batteries, a first-aid kit, and essential medications.
3. Ensure alternative heat and power: Have a backup heat source like a fireplace, and keep fuel stored safely. Have a battery-powered radio for updates.
4. Install safety detectors: Make sure you have working smoke alarms and, crucially, carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups.

Vehicle Preparedness

• Get a vehicle checkup: Ensure your mechanic inspects the battery, ignition, exhaust, and brakes.
• Keep the gas tank full: This helps prevent the fuel line from freezing and provides heat if you get stranded.
• Create a car emergency kit: Include a first-aid kit, blankets, a flashlight, jumper cables, and sand or kitty litter for traction.

Driving Safely in Winter Weather

Driving conditions deteriorate rapidly during winter alerts. The safest option is to stay off the road, but if you must travel:

• Reduce your speed and increase your following distance.
• Do not use cruise control on slippery surfaces.
• Be wary of black ice, especially on bridges and overpasses.
• If you skid, take your foot off the gas and steer in the direction of the skid.
• Never pass a snowplow.

Protecting Vulnerable Populations

Certain groups are more susceptible to cold-weather dangers and require special attention.

• Older Adults: Aging can reduce the body's ability to regulate temperature. Check on elderly neighbors to ensure they have adequate heating, food, and medication.
• Young Children: Infants and young children lose heat more quickly than adults. They should be dressed in warm layers and monitored closely when outdoors.
• Individuals with Disabilities: People with limited mobility or certain health conditions may need extra assistance with transportation or accessing resources.
• Unsheltered Individuals: People experiencing homelessness are at extreme risk of hypothermia and frostbite. Provide resources or inform local aid organizations.

Comparing Essential Kits for Winter Alerts

Item	Home Emergency Kit	Car Emergency Kit
Water	1 gallon per person per day	Several bottles
Food	3-day supply, non-perishable	Non-perishable snacks
Flashlight/Batteries	Yes, multiple	Yes
First-Aid Kit	Yes	Yes
Warmth	Blankets, sleeping bags	Blankets, extra clothes
Traction	No	Sand or kitty litter
Signaling	Battery radio	Brightly colored cloth, flares
Tools	Can opener, basic tools	Jumper cables, small shovel
Safety	Carbon monoxide detector	Tire chains (optional)

Essential Items for Your Winter Preparedness Kit

1. Water: At least one gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation.
2. Food: A three-day supply of non-perishable food, plus a manual can opener.
3. Flashlight and Batteries: For light during power outages.
4. First-Aid Kit: With any essential prescription medications.
5. NOAA Weather Radio: A battery-powered or hand-crank radio to receive emergency broadcasts.
6. Blankets and Warm Clothing: Extra layers are crucial for staying warm if the power goes out.
7. Cash: In case power outages prevent electronic transactions.
8. Important Documents: Keep copies of insurance policies and identification in a waterproof bag.
9. Generator (if applicable): Use only outdoors and away from windows to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

For more detailed guidance on winter preparedness, including downloadable checklists, visit the CDC Winter Weather Resources.

Conclusion

By understanding the different types of winter alerts and taking proactive steps to prepare, you can significantly reduce the health and safety risks associated with severe cold weather. Knowing the difference between a watch, advisory, and warning empowers you to respond appropriately, protecting yourself, your family, and vulnerable members of your community from hypothermia, frostbite, and other dangers. Prioritizing preparation and staying informed is the best defense against winter weather hazards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a winter storm watch and a winter storm warning?

A watch means conditions are favorable for a significant winter storm to occur, giving you time to prepare. A warning means the severe weather is imminent or already happening, and you should take immediate action.

What are the first signs of hypothermia?

Early signs include uncontrollable shivering, exhaustion, confusion, memory loss, and slurred speech. If you notice these symptoms, get to a warm location and seek medical help immediately.

How can I prevent carbon monoxide poisoning during a winter storm?

To prevent poisoning, never use grills, gas stovetops, or generators indoors. Ensure that all indoor heating sources are properly ventilated and that you have working carbon monoxide detectors with fresh batteries.

Is it safe to shovel snow during a winter alert?

Shoveling heavy, wet snow can cause significant cardiovascular strain. Avoid overexertion, take frequent breaks, and consider alternatives if you have a pre-existing heart condition. Do not ignore chest pain.

What should I do if I get stranded in my car during a storm?

Stay in your car. Run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes every hour to stay warm, but be sure to clear the exhaust pipe of any snow to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. Tie a bright cloth to your antenna to signal for help.

What should I put in my car's emergency kit?

A comprehensive car kit should include a first-aid kit, blankets, a flashlight, jumper cables, sand or kitty litter for traction, a small shovel, and non-perishable snacks.

What are the signs of frostbite?

Signs of frostbite include a loss of feeling or a waxy appearance in the affected areas, such as fingers, toes, and nose. The skin may appear white, grayish-yellow, or pale. Seek immediate medical attention.