The National Weather Service
says:
| Message: |
NOAA-NWS-ALERTS-VA20091219030300LWXSpecialWeatherStatementLWX20091219091500VA from w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov |
| Sent: | 22:03 EST on 12-18-2009 |
| Effective: | 22:03 EST on 12-18-2009 |
| Expires: | 04:15 EST on 12-19-2009 |
| Event: | Special Weather Statement |
| Alert: |
...RECORD BREAKING DECEMBER SNOWFALL FOR BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON
METROPOLITAN AREAS BRINGING HAZARDOUS WINTER WEATHER TO THE REGION
OVERNIGHT AND SATURDAY...
TOTAL STORM SNOWFALL TOTALS OF 1 TO 2 FEET ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR
IN THE BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREAS BY DAWN SUNDAY...WHICH
SHOULD ECLIPSE THE DECEMBER RECORDS FOR BOTH CITIES. THE RECORD
DECEMBER SNOWFALL FOR WASHINGTON IS 12.0 INCHES ON 18-19 DECEMBER
1932...AND FOR BALTIMORE TO RECORD IS 14.1 INCHES ON 12-13 DECEMBER 1960.
SHOULD ACCUMULATIONS EXCEED 14 INCHES...THIS STORM WILL MAKE THE
LIST OF THE ALL-TIME TOP 10 SNOWSTORMS ON RECORD FOR BOTH CITIES.
HERE ARE SOME HAZARDOUS WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS TIPS...
1. TRAVEL IS NOT RECOMMENDED ON SATURDAY...AS CONDITIONS WILL
DETERIORATE RAPIDLY AFTER DAYBREAK. IF YOU HAVE TO TRAVEL SATURDAY IN
AN EMERGENCY...CARRY A WINTER STORM SURVIVAL KIT WHICH INCLUDES A
CHARGED MOBILE PHONE...BLANKETS...FLASHLIGHT WITH EXTRA
BATTERIES...HIGH CALORIE NON-PERISHABLE FOOD...WATER...AND A SNOW
SHOVEL. KEEP YOUR GAS TANK FULL...AND AVOID TRAVELING ALONE. LET
SOMEONE KNOW YOUR TIMETABLE AND YOUR PRIMARY ROUTE.
2. IF YOU DO GET STRANDED...STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE. ATTEMPTING TO
WALK FOR HELP IN A WINTER STORM COULD BE A DEADLY DECISION. RUN
THE MOTOR FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES EVERY HOUR FOR HEAT. OPEN THE
WINDOW A LITTLE FOR FRESH AIR TO AVOID CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.
MAKE SURE YOUR EXHAUST PIPE IS NOT BLOCKED FROM ICE AND SNOW.
3. IF YOU NEED TO USE A PORTABLE GENERATOR...FOLLOW MANUFACTURERS
INSTRUCTIONS TO KEEP THE AREA SURROUNDING YOUR GENERATOR WELL
VENTILATED.
4. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SHOVEL SNOW UNLESS YOU ARE PHYSICALLY FIT.
HYDRATE YOURSELF OFTEN WITH WATER WHILE SHOVELING...AND TAKE
FREQUENT BREAKS.
5. MOVE PETS AND FARM ANIMALS TO SHELTERED LOCATIONS AND ENSURE
THEY HAVE PLENTY OF FOOD AND DRINK.
6. LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...LOCAL AND CABLE OUTLETS TO
STAY INFORMED ON THE PROGRESS OF THE STORM.
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