I have pretty much lived in Wisconsin all my life. I have had sunburn, raked a mountain of leaves, and shoveled enough snow for three lifetimes. Yet, I do love the changing of the seasons and snow. In honor of
Winter Awareness Week in Wisconsin — yes, there is such a week and this is it — I thought I'd share with you some tips and terms that we'll be hearing a lot more of in the coming months.
I think snow is beautiful and looks so peaceful. Then I realize that I have to shovel it! I am convinced that it only snows heavy amounts when my husband is working. The snow blower may have been picked out by Jeff, but I am the one that uses it the most.
We watch the weather person with anticipation when it is snow season. Are schools going to be closed? Do I have to leave for work earlier than usual? Do we have gas for the snow blower? The weather person uses blizzard warning, winter storm watch and others, but what does it all mean to you and me?
We usually hear about the
winter storm watch a lot. We are in Wisconsin! When a
winter storm watch is issued, it means that there is a possibility for severe winter weather in about 12-48 hours. Stay tuned for updates.
Next is the dreaded
winter weather advisory. This advisory is issued when the weather may cause significant issues, but the issues are not life-threatening if you are careful. Weather could include 3-6 inches of snow, blowing snow reducing visibility, drifting snow close to the road, sleet and freezing rain.
It is getting bad out there and next comes the
winter storm warning. This is the start of the bad stuff, the stay-off-the-roads-if-you-can stuff. This storm is going to cause significant issues, injuries and possible deaths. There is going to be more than 6 inches of snow in under 12 hours or 8 inches or more of snow in the next 24 hours. And, there could be freezing rain. We might see three to six inches of snow with wind gusts of over 20 miles per hour.
We can expect at least one
blizzard warning in Wisconsin as well. This is when there is a possibility of sustained winds or frequent gusts near 35 mph or more. There is considerable falling and or blowing snow which reduces visability to ¼ mile or less, for three hours or more.
Time to go bundle up and hit the driveway, again …