This week is officially Winter Weather Preparedness Week for North Carolina and Governor Cooper is urging all North Carolinians to start planning and preparing now, before it’s too late.
“Winter weather predictions across North Carolina can be challenging, which means we all need to be prepared by updating emergency preparedness kits and reviewing our family’s emergency plan,” said Cooper in a press release. “Residents should stay informed by paying attention to trusted and official sources of information regarding weather forecasts and alerts.”
While warmer and drier conditions are expected in the coming weeks due to La Niña conditions, that doesn’t mean that wintry precipitation won’t develop across the state, leading to potentially icy roads and other hazards.
State officials are urging residents to monitor winter weather conditions and forecasts and to pay especially close attention to winter weather watches, warnings and advisories. While the criteria for these may vary across North Carolina the premise is the same so remember:
- Winter Storm Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for either heavy snow, sleet, or freezing rain within the next 24-48 hours.
- Winter Storm Warning is issued when confidence is high that a winter storm will cause significant impacts within the next 24 hours.
- Winter Weather Advisory is issued when wintry weather is expected and residents should exercise caution as light to moderate amounts of snow, sleet, or freezing rain are expected within the next 24 hours, causing travel difficulties.
To help ensure you are ready for winter weather, North Carolina Emergency Management officials urges residents to prepare starting this week.
To prepare your car, top off all your fluids, especially your oil, power steering fluid, and antifreeze. You’ll also want to check your tires and make sure your air pressure is over 32 PSI.
To prepare your home, make sure to drain all fountains and exterior water fixtures. Always let at least one of your faucets drip to avoid freezing pipes. Consider buying a humidifier if you’re sensitive to dry air. If you have an older home with older windows, investing in some shrink film insulation will save you a ton on your heating bill.
To prepare yourself, buy some thermal gloves, a warm hat, and a winter jacket. If you’re going to spend any length of time outside, you may even want to consider buying an electric heating jacket.
If you have a pet – make sure to read our article about how to keep your furry friend warm.
For more information on how to prepare for winter storms and other hazards that affect North Carolina, visit readync.gov