Carolina Sky Watcher

                                                                                                                                                            Carolina Sky Watcher

ice can cause extreme hazards to motorists and pedestrians. When driving in freezing conditions, the roadway may appear to be wet, however, what appears to be water can actually be ice. This phenomenon is knows as "black ice" and is especially hazardous on bridges and overpasses.

Snow is also no stranger to the area. Most residents remember the Christmas snow of 1989, when one to two feet of snow fell across the area. Previously, in 1980, nearly 24 inches of snow and ice fell along the Crystal Coast knocking out power for days, leaving many residents stranded in their homes.  Just last year, during the snow storm of December 3^rd, 2000, as much as a foot of snow fell in some areas across the coastal plain.  As most of us know, only a few inches of snow can make driving haz

'Wind Chill' from page 3

face is most often exposed to the cold).
· An updated heat transfer theory, which factors in heat loss from the body to its surroundings during cold, windy days.
· A consistent standard for skin tissue resistence.
· Clear night sky conditions.
· A lowered calm wind threshold from four miles to three miles.
For the past year, the National Weather Service, acting on behalf of the U.S. Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research, has led a team of international scientists with the goal of creating an international standard wind chill index among the meteorological community. Last spring, the scientists conducted clinical trials and the results helped to verify and     

'Winter Weather'  from page 1

homes on the Outer Banks were destroyed by coastal flooding.  Winds along the Outer Banks reached speeds of 90 mph. These high winds stretched as far inland as Goldsboro where 70 mph winds were recorded.

The most dangerous form of winter weather precipitation we usually experience in Eastern North Carolina is ice. Heavy accumulations of ice, in the form of freezing rain and sleet, can bring down trees, electrical wires and telephone poles. This can disrupt power and communications for days. Even small accumulations of

See 'Winter Weather' on
page 8