Should I drive in a winter storm?

Driving safety is of the utmost importance when a winter storm rolls in. Never drive with snow or ice piled on top of your vehicle as it can fly off and hit another vehicle or pedestrian or cause a dangerous road obstruction.

Is a winter storm warning worse than a watch?

A winter storm watch is issued to provide 12 to 36 hours notice of the possibility of severe winter weather. A watch is upgraded to a winter storm warning when 4 or more inches of snow or sleet are expected in the next 12 hours or 6 or more inches in 24 hours, or a quarter-inch or more of ice accumulation is expected.

What should you not do during a winter storm?

Pack dry clothing, a two-way radio, waterproof matches, and paraffin fire starters with you. Do not use alcohol and other mood altering substances, and avoid caffeinated drinks. Avoid walking on ice or getting wet. Carefully watch for signs of cold-weather health problems, like hypothermia and frostbite.

What do you do in a car during an ice storm?

Winter Checklist for Vehicles: How to Winterize Your Car

1. Check your tire tread. When getting your car ready for winter, be sure to inspect your tires for tread wear and rotate them during every oil change.
2. Fill up your tires.
3. Consider snow tires.
4. Change your oil and antifreeze.
5. Fix your heater.
6. Inspect your battery.

Is it safe to drive in a blizzard?

Driving during a blizzard or heavy snowstorm is dangerous for many reasons — black ice, low visibility, and carbon monoxide leaks being just a few. Although it’s not recommended that you leave your home in treacherous weather conditions, sometimes it’s necessary.

How serious are tornado warnings?

It means that conditions are ideal for a tornado to form. A watch will not necessarily result in severe weather, AccuWeather explains. A warning means that either a tornado has been spotted or a radar has picked one up. If you are in an area with a tornado warning, it’s time to act immediately.

What should you do during a winter storm if you’re inside a vehicle?

If your car gets stuck during a storm:

• Stay in the vehicle! If you leave your vehicle, you will become disoriented quickly in wind-driven snow and cold. Run the motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat.
• Be visible to rescuers. Turn on the dome light at night when running the engine.

Should you drink alcohol if trapped in a blizzard?

When the power is out, it can be tempting to heat your home by stove or by moving the charcoal grill inside. These heaters release carbon monoxide, and it can poison you without you even knowing because it’s a colorless and odorless gas. DON’T drink alcohol to stay warm.

Is it OK to drive in the snow?

The key to safe driving in snow is being smooth with the steering wheel, accelerator, and brakes. Jerky movements with the controls easily unstick tires that have a tenuous grip on the slippery road, so every turn of the wheel, push of the brakes, and movement of the throttle must be deliberate, gentle, and gradual.

How fast should you drive in a snow storm?

Go slow. Anytime you’re up against conditions that destroy traction, you want to drop the speedometer. It might feel silly to be poking along at 30 mph in a 65 mph zone, but speed truly is the enemy in snowbound weather. You’ll get there.