SECTION 3:

DESIGNING YOUR WINTER WEATHER EMERGENCY PLAN

Winter weather claims nearly 100 lives annually, more than lightning, icanes, or tornadoes . Winter storms are considered to be deceptive killers because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. People die in traffic accidents on snow or ice covered roads, from hypothermia due to prolonged exposure to cold, and from heart attacks due to overexertion. About 70% of the deaths occur in motor vehicles and nearly 25% are from exposure to snow and cold.

These statistics indicate the need for a winter weather preparedness plan for schools. This section provides the framework for organizing such a plan.

A. How to Get Winter Weather Information:

Unlike severe thunderstorms, winter storms are generally slow in developing, often taking one to three days to mature. This does not in any way diminish their importance, nor their potential for causing loss of life and destruction. What it does mean is that the NWS is often able to provide advance notice of winter storms, in some cases, lead times of one to two days.

As with severe weather information, the fastest, most accurate and reliable means of receiving critical weather information at your school is through a NOAA Weather Radio with a "tone alert" feature. For more information on NOAA Weather Radio, reference Section 2.A , or click here.

In winter weather situations, listen for the following:

Winter Storm Outlook - Used to alert the public of the potential for a significant winter storm, in a 48 hour or beyond time span.

Winter Storm Watch - Used to alert the public of the potential for blizzard conditions, heavy snow, significant freezing rain, heavy sleet or any combination of the above in the 12 to 48 hour time span.

Blizzard Warning - Issued when heavy snow or blowing snow (visibility less than 1/4 of a mile) and sustained winds or frequent wind gusts of 35 mph or more are expected for a period of three hours or more.

Winter Storm Warning for Heavy Snow - Issued for 7 inches or more of snow in 24 hours or less across central New York. Issued for 6 inches or more in 24 hours across northeast Pennsylvania.

Lake Effect Snow Warning - Issued for 6 inches or more of lake effect snow in 12 hours or less.

Winter Storm Warning for Severe Icing - Issued when freezing rain is expected to produce a glaze, 1/4 inch thick or more, on the ground and exposed surfaces.

Winter Storm Warning for Heavy Sleet - Issued when sleet is expected to accumulate inch or more.

Winter Storm Warning - Issued for any combination of the above, except for blizzard warning.

Wind Chill Warning - Issued when wind chills of -25 F or colder are expected. A wind chill chart can be found in Appendix D.

Winter Weather Advisories - will also be issued for snow, blowing snow, wind chill, and freezing rain/drizzle that are below the above critera, but are expected to cause significant inconveniences, and could lead to life-threatening situations if caution is not exercised.

The NOAA Weather Radio "tone alert" feature will always be used for blizzard warnings, but may or may not be used for the other warnings listed above, so do not forget to periodically monitor the NOAA Weather Radio broadcast for winter weather information which may not be tone alerted.

If your school is not in a reliable NOAA Weather Radio listening area (due to interference from mountains or other sources), reference Section 2.A for some suggested alternatives.




B. Alerting Students and Staff to Take Action:

For information on alerting students and staff to take action, reference Section 2.B.

C. Determining When to Activate Your Plan:

When deciding to activate a plan, you must use as much information as possible about the type of winter storm, the expected impact, and the time of impact on your school district.

For most winter storms, the primary decision will be whether to cancel, delay, or hold classes as usual. In watch situations, immediate action will usually not be required. When a warning or advisory is issued, however, NWS products and weather conditions should be monitored closely.

When a warning or advisory is issued, the current weather situation must be assessed. The forecast in effect, current weather conditions, and road conditions all need to be considered. One way to gauge road conditions is to find out if a snow emergency has been declared by the county EMA office.

Current and forecast weather, as discussed above, can be received via NOAA Weather Radio, local television and radio stations, and cable television. Road condition information can be obtained from, local law enforcement officials, city transportation officials, and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), or Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT). Additionally, some school districts will send out "drivers" or have "security teams" to check road conditions.

D. Determining When to Cancel or Delay Classes:

You will want to consider canceling or delaying classes whenever a warning or advisory has been issued. There are two primary considerations:

1) How much time do you have before the storm impacts the area? Not only must students be transported to school safely, but also back home. If for example, a major ice storm will hit around noon, then is it worthwhile to hold classes as scheduled, only to have to dismiss early? In such a case, not only would the buses have to run on icy roads, but some children would have to be picked up by car or walk to their home; and,

2) What kind of an impact will the storm make? A major ice storm or blizzard could make roads nearly impassable, while a snow of just a couple of inches might have only a minimal effect on transportation of students to and from school, likely causing only small delays.

In all cases, it is the safety of the students that is of paramount importance. All decisions must be based on protecting each student.


E. School Bus Actions:

All school bus drivers should be trained on how to handle winter weather conditions. Most winter storms are forecast well in advance, but there will be times when travel will be required during severe winter storms.

Heavy Snow

Heavy snow can leave roads nearly impassable, especially when combined with strong winds (i.e., blizzard conditions). School bus drivers should:

Be familiar with alternate routes.

Stay up to date on the latest forecast.

Maintain communication with proper school officials.

Ice Storms

Freezing rain can make travel nearly impossible. In addition, heavy accumulations of ice can bring down trees and utility lines, creating additional hazards. School bus drivers should:

Remain alert for downed trees, utility lines, and other road hazards.

Be familiar with alternate routes.

Stay up to date on the latest forecast.

Maintain communication with proper school officials.

Extreme Cold

Children awaiting the school bus in the morning, standing exposed to the cold and wind, without proper clothing for protection, may develop hypothermia. School bus drivers as well as teachers should be taught to recognize symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite as described in Appendix C. Also detailed in Appendix C is how to treat hypothermia and frostbite.

F. Need for Winter Weather Safety Instruction:

In order to have an effective winter weather emergency plan, you must have winter weather safety training. Both school staff and students need to be educated. This education will help students and staff understand the dangers of winter weather and better comprehend the actions that should be taken.

November may be an opportune time for your school to evaluate it's winter weather emergency plan and conduct an exercise. You may contact your local NWS office or emergency management agency office if you would like a speaker to come to your school and discuss winter weather safety.