Safety Tidbit 4.20 – Cold Weather Safety – Weather Terms

Safety Tidbit 4.20 – Cold Weather Safety – Weather Terms

Reference: OSHA Cold Weather Safety Webpage

The holidays are finishing up, the kids are all back in school, and we’re all back to the grind. It’s January and winter here in Pennsylvania is just getting started. About this same time last year, I published a Safety Tidbit on Cold Weather Safety geared mainly for workers working outdoors. This time, I’d like to take a step back and look at the weather in general. I want to give the terms used by weather stations as published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Blizzard Warning: Issued for sustained or gusty winds of 35 mph or more, and falling or blowing snow creating visibilities at or below 1/4 mile; these conditions should persist for at least 3 hours.

Wind Chill Advisory: Issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to be a significant inconvenience to life with prolonged exposure, and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to hazardous exposure.

Wind Chill Warning: Issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to be hazardous to life within several minutes of exposure.

Winter Storm Warning: Issued when hazardous winter weather in the form of heavy snow, blizzard conditions, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is imminent or occurring. Winter Storm Warnings are usually issued 12 to 24 hours before the event is expected to begin.

Winter Storm Watch: Alerts the public to the possibility of a blizzard, heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet. Winter Storm Watches are usually issued 12 to 48 hours before the beginning of a Winter Storm.

Winter Weather Advisories: Issued for accumulations of snow, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and sleet which will cause significant inconveniences and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to life-threatening situations.

By giving you the terms used by the weather folks, you can better decide how to prepare and protect yourself and your workers. Whether you’re playing, driving, or working in it knowing the environmental condition outside is an excellent first step towards safety.

Hope this was helpful and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

P.S. If you have a new safety or health question, please let me know.