Winter Weather Awareness Week: December 2 to 6
Delaware Emergency Management Agency | Department of Safety and Homeland Security | Department of Transportation | Featured Posts | Date Posted: Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Delaware Emergency Management Agency | Department of Safety and Homeland Security | Department of Transportation | Featured Posts | Date Posted: Wednesday, November 27, 2024
SMYRNA, Del. — The Delaware Emergency Management Agency, Delaware Department of Transportation, National Weather Service, and county emergency agencies are teaming up to observe Winter Weather Awareness Week from December 2 to 6 to share important information to help residents and visitors stay safe. Preparing now can greatly reduce any potential impacts from severe winter weather. DEMA also recommends that everyone make a plan, build a home or car emergency kit, and stay informed on the latest conditions. Visit PrepareDE.org for more resources.
Winter can bring very cold temperatures, ice, snow, and high winds—causing utility outages along with dangerous and deadly travel conditions. Over the past 10 years, the National Weather Service estimates winter storms and extreme cold are responsible for an average of 68 deaths per year in the United States. It’s never too early to be prepared: areas of Colorado were recently hit with their largest November snowstorm in decades, resulting in blizzard-like conditions and more than four feet of snow.
“Delaware is no stranger to a wide variety of winter weather hazards, ranging from freezing rain to blowing snow to tidal flooding,” said Sarah Johnson, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the U.S. National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mt. Holly. “By taking time now to prepare for winter weather, Delawareans can mitigate the impacts of winter weather hazards when they occur.”
Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski added, “It is extremely important for drivers to slow down, not crowd snowplows, and avoid travel when conditions are at their worst, if possible. DelDOT will be ready to respond to winter weather events, and we encourage everyone to take time to ensure their vehicles are also ready for winter weather by replacing wiper blades, checking the condition of tires, and having a car emergency kit.”
The Delaware Climate Office reported that last year was somewhat warmer and much wetter than average, however the First State did have four snowfall accumulations. This included a January 19 snowstorm that dropped five inches of snow and closed state offices in Kent and New Castle Counties. This year, the NWS Climate Prediction Center (CPC) estimates a 57 percent chance that a weak and short-duration La Niña will emerge by December and persist through January to March 2025. The CPC three month outlooks currently call for somewhat above-normal temps and average seasonal precipitation. Overall, weak La Niña winters, and La Niña winters in general, mean “below-average snowfall” for the Mid-Atlantic from January to March.
One notable exception was the “Blizzard of 1996” that took place from January 6 to 8 during a La Niña winter pattern. It paralyzed the Eastern Seaboard for the better part of a week with Philadelphia setting a snowfall record of 30.7 inches while the City of Wilmington received 22 inches. A state of emergency was declared by Governors in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania and dozens of deaths were attributed to the storm – many due to cardiac events from shoveling snow.
Each day of Winter Weather Awareness Week on social media, participating agencies will focus on a different winter weather topic along with safety tips to get ready for whatever winter brings.
The National Weather Service-Mount Holly (NWS) issues the latest weather conditions and forecasts for Delaware as well as official winter storm watches, warnings, and advisories. NWS also has a Winter Weather Dashboard that shows the short-term forecast for winter weather conditions in the three-state region that includes Delaware. Download the FEMA Mobile App and set a location to receive NWS alerts for that area.
Get to know the following winter weather terms and what they mean:
Last year, DEMA and DelDOT issued an advisory during the January 19 storm about poor visibility and the possibility of freezing on road surfaces. State officials caution motorists to slow down and adapt their driving to the road conditions, give plows plenty of space on the roads, and take the time to remove snow and ice from their vehicles before traveling. The free DelDOT mobile app provides news, updates, and access to more than 100 cameras to view road conditions before traveling.
DRIVING RESTRICTIONS
During a winter storm or other weather emergency, state officials can issue any one of three types of driving restrictions statewide or in one or more counties under Delaware Code:
DelDOT Links:
The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is the lead state agency for coordination of comprehensive emergency preparedness, training, response, recovery, and mitigation services to save lives, protect Delaware’s economic base and reduce the impact of emergencies. DEMA is a division within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) and authorized by Delaware Code.
Related Topics: Blizzard of 1996, Delaware Emergency Management Agency, DelDOT, National Weather Service, PrepareDE.org, Winter Weather Awareness Week
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
Delaware Emergency Management Agency | Department of Safety and Homeland Security | Department of Transportation | Featured Posts | Date Posted: Wednesday, November 27, 2024
SMYRNA, Del. — The Delaware Emergency Management Agency, Delaware Department of Transportation, National Weather Service, and county emergency agencies are teaming up to observe Winter Weather Awareness Week from December 2 to 6 to share important information to help residents and visitors stay safe. Preparing now can greatly reduce any potential impacts from severe winter weather. DEMA also recommends that everyone make a plan, build a home or car emergency kit, and stay informed on the latest conditions. Visit PrepareDE.org for more resources.
Winter can bring very cold temperatures, ice, snow, and high winds—causing utility outages along with dangerous and deadly travel conditions. Over the past 10 years, the National Weather Service estimates winter storms and extreme cold are responsible for an average of 68 deaths per year in the United States. It’s never too early to be prepared: areas of Colorado were recently hit with their largest November snowstorm in decades, resulting in blizzard-like conditions and more than four feet of snow.
“Delaware is no stranger to a wide variety of winter weather hazards, ranging from freezing rain to blowing snow to tidal flooding,” said Sarah Johnson, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the U.S. National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mt. Holly. “By taking time now to prepare for winter weather, Delawareans can mitigate the impacts of winter weather hazards when they occur.”
Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski added, “It is extremely important for drivers to slow down, not crowd snowplows, and avoid travel when conditions are at their worst, if possible. DelDOT will be ready to respond to winter weather events, and we encourage everyone to take time to ensure their vehicles are also ready for winter weather by replacing wiper blades, checking the condition of tires, and having a car emergency kit.”
The Delaware Climate Office reported that last year was somewhat warmer and much wetter than average, however the First State did have four snowfall accumulations. This included a January 19 snowstorm that dropped five inches of snow and closed state offices in Kent and New Castle Counties. This year, the NWS Climate Prediction Center (CPC) estimates a 57 percent chance that a weak and short-duration La Niña will emerge by December and persist through January to March 2025. The CPC three month outlooks currently call for somewhat above-normal temps and average seasonal precipitation. Overall, weak La Niña winters, and La Niña winters in general, mean “below-average snowfall” for the Mid-Atlantic from January to March.
One notable exception was the “Blizzard of 1996” that took place from January 6 to 8 during a La Niña winter pattern. It paralyzed the Eastern Seaboard for the better part of a week with Philadelphia setting a snowfall record of 30.7 inches while the City of Wilmington received 22 inches. A state of emergency was declared by Governors in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania and dozens of deaths were attributed to the storm – many due to cardiac events from shoveling snow.
Each day of Winter Weather Awareness Week on social media, participating agencies will focus on a different winter weather topic along with safety tips to get ready for whatever winter brings.
The National Weather Service-Mount Holly (NWS) issues the latest weather conditions and forecasts for Delaware as well as official winter storm watches, warnings, and advisories. NWS also has a Winter Weather Dashboard that shows the short-term forecast for winter weather conditions in the three-state region that includes Delaware. Download the FEMA Mobile App and set a location to receive NWS alerts for that area.
Get to know the following winter weather terms and what they mean:
Last year, DEMA and DelDOT issued an advisory during the January 19 storm about poor visibility and the possibility of freezing on road surfaces. State officials caution motorists to slow down and adapt their driving to the road conditions, give plows plenty of space on the roads, and take the time to remove snow and ice from their vehicles before traveling. The free DelDOT mobile app provides news, updates, and access to more than 100 cameras to view road conditions before traveling.
DRIVING RESTRICTIONS
During a winter storm or other weather emergency, state officials can issue any one of three types of driving restrictions statewide or in one or more counties under Delaware Code:
DelDOT Links:
The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is the lead state agency for coordination of comprehensive emergency preparedness, training, response, recovery, and mitigation services to save lives, protect Delaware’s economic base and reduce the impact of emergencies. DEMA is a division within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) and authorized by Delaware Code.
Related Topics: Blizzard of 1996, Delaware Emergency Management Agency, DelDOT, National Weather Service, PrepareDE.org, Winter Weather Awareness Week
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.