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PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT 
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
1020 AM EST MON OCT 29 2007


The National Weather Service offices that serve northern New England
have declared the week of October 29th through November 2nd...WINTER
WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK.  In conjunction with WINTER WEATHER AWARENESS
WEEK...the National Weather Service Office in Gray will be issuing
Public Information Statements concerning many aspects of winter
weather and winter weather preparedness.  While some of this
information is tailored toward the states of Maine and New
Hampshire...most of the information is pertinent to other areas of the
country as well.  In advance...we want to thank our friends in the
media for helping to bring this important safety information to the
attention of their viewers...listeners and readers.


...WINTER WEATHER BASICS...

For those of us who live in northern New England...winter weather
becomes a part of our lives from November through March.  Despite
October's relatively warm weather...snow...sleet...freezing
rain...cold temperatures...high winds...and cold wind chill
temperatures will be common occurrences soon.  While most of the time
these weather elements are only a nuisance to our daily
routines...they can produce hazardous or life-threatening situations
for those who are not prepared...or for those who do not take the
proper precautions.

In Maine and New Hampshire...normal snowfall averages from 50 to 70
inches along the coast...but gradually increases as you move inland to
more than 140 inches in the mountains.  In northern Maine...100 to 120
inches of snow falls annually.  The lesser amounts in coastal areas
are partly a result of a frequent change-over to sleet...freezing
rain...or rain during many well-developed winter storms.  To those
driving or walking...this mixture of precipitation can be even more
dangerous than snow.  As residents of Maine and New Hampshire are all
aware from January 1998...large accumulations of freezing rain can
cause disastrous conditions.  High winds...cold temperatures...cold
wind chill temperatures...and coastal flooding can also accompany or
follow winter storms.

To alert the public to potentially dangerous winter weather events or
situations...the National Weather Service issues
OUTLOOKS...WATCHES...WARNINGS...and ADVISORIES.  While the exact
criteria used to trigger watches...warnings...and advisories in Maine
and New Hampshire will be discussed later this week in other Public
Information Statements...you should keep the following general
definitions in mind.  

OUTLOOK - A HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK is issued daily by National
          Weather Service offices across the country to alert the
          public to the potential for any hazardous weather during the
          next 7 days (including significant winter storms...high
          wind...coastal flooding...and extreme temperatures).  Due to
          the uncertainty in predicting the strength and path of a
          winter storm more than several days in advance...the exact
          impact on the area (if any) will not be known.  In
          addition... National Weather Service offices may issue
          SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENTS highlighting the potential impact
          of a major winter storm.   Product - HAZARDOUS WEATHER
          OUTLOOK.

WATCH   - Issued to alert the public that dangerous winter conditions
          are possible in the WATCHED area within the next 24 to 48
          hours.  Products include: WINTER STORM WATCH...HIGH WIND
          WATCH...and COASTAL FLOOD WATCH.

WARNING - Issued to alert the public that dangerous winter conditions
          are likely to occur within the next 6 to 24 hours or are
          occurring in the WARNED area.  Products include WINTER STORM
          WARNING...HEAVY SNOW WARNING...ICE STORM WARNING...BLIZZARD
          WARNING...HIGH WIND WARNING...WIND CHILL WARNING...and
          COASTAL FLOOD WARNING.

ADVISORY- Issued to alert the public that winter conditions are
          expected to cause a significant inconvenience and may be
          hazardous.  If caution is exercised...these situations
          should not be life threatening.  Products include WINTER
          WEATHER ADVISORY...SNOW ADVISORY...FREEZING RAIN
          ADVISORY...BLOWING SNOW ADVISORY...WIND ADVISORY...and WIND
          CHILL ADVISORY.


PREPAREDNESS TIP FOR THE DAY:

Automobile accidents are the leading cause of deaths and injuries
during and after winter storms.  While snow and ice contribute to the
slippery conditions...vehicle speed is a major factor in determining
the likelihood of a death or serious injury from an automobile
accident.  Under certain conditions...roads can get extremely icy from
an inch or less of snow...or from freezing drizzle.  Patchy black
ice...even days after a storm...can be a significant hazard.  Many of
these hazards are not apparent until it is too late.  SLOW DOWN before
your vehicle begins to slip and slide.


Here is a listing of the topics to be covered in Public Information
Statements by the National Weather Service Office in Gray during
WINTER WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK.

Monday...October 29     - Winter Weather Basics.
Tuesday...October 30    - WATCH...WARNING...and ADVISORY criteria for
                          winter storms.
Wednesday...October 31  - Wind Chill...Extreme Cold...Frostbite...and
                          Hypothermia.
Thursday...November 1   - High Wind...Coastal Flood...and Dense Fog
                          threats.
Friday...November 2     - Winter Weather Preparedness


JENSENIUS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
GRAY...MAINE

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