Attn: Winter storm warning

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Winter in North Dakota
Getting Through a Grand Forks Winter Safely!!!
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What to expect..

• Average Temps For Grand Forks
• Here are some more resources on the web
  that you can use to find information on upcoming
  weather in our area!

WDAZ Weather Info
Latest Weather Conditions In Grand Forks, ND
Weekly Weather for Grand Forks, ND
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Winter weather terms
Winter Weather Terms
Winter weather advisory A weather situation that
causes significant inconveniences but does not
meet warning criteria.
Winter storm warning A combination of
hazardous winter weather (heavy snow, blowing
snow and/or dangerous wind chills) is occurring,
imminent or is highly likely. Winter storms can
be life threatening.
Winter storm watch issued 12-48 hours before the
onset of severe winter conditions.
Blizzard Warning Issued when winds of 35 mph of
greater are combined with blowing and drifting
snow with visibilities of ¼ mile or less. Seek
indoor shelter immediately and stay indoors until
the severe conditions end.
Wind chill Warning Issued in North Dakota
whenever cold temperatures and strong winds
combine to produce wind chills over 40 below zero
or less. Wind chill advisory is 25 below zero.

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Keeping Warm
Layer Your Clothing Layer 1- Let your skin
breathe! Wear underwear, socks, and glove liners
that are made of knitted silk or polypropylene.
This will allow sweat to escape. Layer 2- Wear
wool if possible. It keeps you warm even when
wet. Layer 3 Trap the heat with the use of
lightweight micro fiber coats. To keep water out
wear a windbreaker over your coat.

• Saving Your Body Heat
• Most of your body heat is lost through your head
  so wear a warm hat.
• Avoid cotton and down clothing.
• Try to avoid alcohol, caffeine, tea, and tobacco
  products because they increase heat loss.
• Keep yourself hydrated! Drink lots of water but
  do not eat the snow, it can lower your body
  temperature.

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Forget Your Mittens?What can happen in the cold

• Frostbite
• This is an injury that is caused by freezing. It
  can cause a loss of feeling and color in the
  affected areas. It will most often affect the
  nose, cheeks, toes, chin, or fingers. In severe
  cases of frostbite the affected area may have to
  be amputated. This injury occurs in people who
  have poor blood circulation or those who are not
  dressed properly for the cold weather.
• Symptoms
• Skin has turned white and feels wooden
• Numbness
• Treatment
• Put the person in a warm area. Put the affected
  area of the body in warm water of 105-110 degrees
  but no hotter because it may cause more damage.
  If you do not feel that the tissue will stay warm
  do not re-warm it until you believe that it will
  stay warm. Wrap the area in sterile gauze. Seek
  medical attention as soon as you can.

http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frostbite
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What can happen in the cold continued
Hypothermia This is a cooling of the body below
the normal temperature of 98.6 degrees F. When
this happens severe problems can occur. If it
gets bad enough it may possibly even lead to
death. Symptoms Shivering is the first stage of
hypothermia. When this occurs a person should be
near a source of heat, put on more clothing and
eat some hot food. When a person stops
shivering then this is the most dangerous level
of hypothermia. A persons movement will become
slowed and they may not be able to walk. They
may look blue or pale and the person may become
confused. Pulse and respirations may decrease
and the extremities will not get the blood flow
that they should have. A persons organs may also
began to slow down. Treatment If possible seek
medical attention as soon as possible. If not
remove wet clothing as soon as possible. Body to
body contact may be necessary to warm the person.
Wrap the person in warm clothing and blankets.
Do not rub the extremities. Apply hot packs to
the armpits, groin, neck, side and chest if
possible. Seek medical help as soon as
possible.
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Safe Winter Driving

• What to do before you leave
• Keep vehicle well maintained
• Listen to road reports and weather forecasts
  before leaving on a road trip.
• Let someone know where you are going before you
  leave and call them as soon as you arrive safely.
• Always carry a winter survival kit when
  traveling.
• What to do if your vehicle breaks down.
• Tie a colored ribbon around your antenna which
  should be a part of your winter survival kit.
• Use emergency flashers when you hear a vehicle.
• Stay in your vehicle and run vehicle at least 10
  minutes each hour. Make sure the exhaust pipe is
  not blocked and keep window slightly opened.
• Do not over exert yourself, preserve your body
  heat and energy.
• Change positions frequently. Move your arms and
  legs and massage your fingers and feet
  occasionally to keep circulation moving through
  them.

Road Report Information North Dakota Department
of Transportation for Grand Forks
701-787-6550 Cell phone users SAFE
(7233) http//www.dot.nd.gov/travel/travel.htm M
innesota Department of Transportation Statewide
information 1-800-542-0220 http//www.dot.state.m
n.us/workzone/ ND 511 travel information Dial
511 from any phone Call 911 for help
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Planning a trip? What to include In Your Winter
Survival Kit

• Extra clothing gloves, socks, jackets, boots,
  sweaters
• Warm Blanket
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• High energy foods such as candy bars, peanuts,
  raisins
• A candle, matches, and a can
• Jumper cable, shovel, tow rope, and sand
• First Aid Supplies
• Hand warmers
• Colored ribbon

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Winter Fun

• Activities
• Cross country or down hill skiing
• Skating
• Sledding and Snowboarding
• Make a snow angel
• Make a snowman
• Have a snowball fight
• Hiking or snowshoeing

• Beating the Cold Weather Blues
• Keep in touch with family and friends.
• Let the sun shine into your home.
• Start a new hobby
• Enjoy the weather
• Take care of yourself eat healthy and drink lots
  of water
• Volunteer
• Get regular exercise
• If none of the above help, seek professional
  assistance.

To rent outdoor equipment for some of these
activities go to Lifetime Sports Center located
on lower level of the Memorial Union.
701-777-3981 lifetimesports_at_und.edu
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Treatment on Campus For Weather Related Injuries
If you or any of your friends need medical
attention for any weather related injuries or you
have any other health concerns please feel free
to contact Student Health!!

• They provide
• Full service medical clinic providing acute,
  chronic and preventive care.
• Staff that are highly qualified, board certified,
  medical professionals.
• Free office visits for sickness and injury.

For Information or to Reach Student
Health Call 701-777-4500 Visit Website at
www.undstudenthealth.com/ Hours 800 a.m. to
430 p.m. Monday-Friday Tuesdays until 600 pm.
during fall and spring semesters
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Resources
Country Studies (2003). Grand forks weather.
Retrieved September 16, 2008 from
http//countrystudies.us/united-states/weather/no
rth-dakota/grand-forks.htm National Weather
Service (2008). Definitions of winter weather
terms used by the national weather service.
Retrieved September 10, 2008 from
http//www.wbuf.noaa.gov/wint97ny.htm NOAA
National Weather Service. (2007) Winter safety
tips. Retrieved September 10, 2008 from
http//www.crh.noaa.gov/bis/wintertips.php North
Dakota Farm Bureau. (2006). Winter survival.
Retrieved September 10, 2008 from
http//www.ndfb.org/news/detail.asp?newsID288
Ohio State University Extension. ( 2004). Cold
weather exposure. Retrieved September 10, 2008
from http//www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d001601-d001700
/d001677/d001677.html Swenson, J.A. (2008).
Hints to help you enjoy unds winter wonderland.
Grand Forks, ND. UND Student Health
Services. Wahlsten, M. (2008). Mitchs blog.
Retrieved September 16, 2008 from
http//mwmnp.blogspot.com/2008/03/winter-of-2007-
08-musings.html