Winter Weather Alerts, 2012-2013 (First post web cams) (Fargo, Bismarck: RV park, how much) - North Dakota (ND) - City-Data Forum

ElkHunter · 10-25-2009, 03:03 PM

ElkHunter · 10-06-2011, 04:54 PM

What is Wind Chill?
It is the temperature it "Feels like" outside and is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by the effects of wind and cold. As the wind increases, the body is cooled at a faster rate causing the skin temperature to drop. Wind Chill does not impact inanimate objects like car radiators and exposed water pipes, because these objects cannot cool below actual air temperature.

What is Frostbite?
Frostbite is an injury to the body caused by freezing body tissue. The most susceptible parts of the body are the extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, or the tip of the nose. Symptoms include loss of feeling in the extremity and a white or pale appearance. Medical attentions is needed immediately for frostbite. The area should be SLOWLY re-warmed.

What is Hypothermia?
Hypothermia is abnormally low body temperature (below 95 degrees Fahrenheit). Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. Medical attention is needed immediately. If it is not available, begin warming the body SLOWLY.

Tips on how to dress during cold weather.
- Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Trapped air between the layers will insulate you. Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent, and hooded.
- Wear a hat, because 40% of your body heat can be lost from your head.
- Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
- Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.
- Try to stay dry and out of the wind.

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Advisory
(Abbrev. ADVY)- Highlights special weather conditions that are less serious than a warning. They are for events that may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.

Watch
A watch is used when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location, and/or timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time so that those who need to set their plans in motion can do so.

Warning
A warning is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, is imminent, or has a very high probability of occurring. A warning is used for conditions posing a threat to life or property.

Storm
Any disturbed state of the atmosphere, especially affecting the Earth's surface, and strongly implying destructive and otherwise unpleasant weather. Storms range in scale from tornadoes and thunderstorms to tropical cyclones to synoptic-scale extratropical cyclones.

Blizzard
(abbrev. BLZD)- A blizzard means that the following conditions are expected to prevail for a period of 3 hours or longer:

Sustained wind or frequent gusts to 35 miles an hour or greater; and
Considerable falling and/or blowing snow (i.e., reducing visibility frequently to less than ¼ mile)

ElkHunter · 09-29-2012, 08:13 PM

It was time to switch over to Winter Weather Alerts. If you want info out of the "Summer of 2012 Alerts", you can find them here. https://www.city-data.com/forum/north...ts-2012-a.html

I don't know how you folks in North Dakota have been doing so far, but where I live in Northern Wyoming, we have had some hard freezes so far, so it was just a matter of time.

HighPlainsDrifter73 · 09-30-2012, 10:54 AM

Here in Williston we've had a few mornings with temps below freezing. I had frost on my car a couple of times already.

The 7-day forecast is indicating high temps only in the 40s and 50s starting on Wednesday. I think the temps are going to drop pretty quickly from here on out.

Kamsack · 09-30-2012, 11:19 AM

Yes...winter my favorite season

North Dakota and surrounding states have updated their travel and weather maps over the past year or two. I wanted to pass on the latest links as of Fall 2012.

North Dakota... the ND DOT have greatly enhanced and expanded the webcam network across the state showing highway conditions. On the link below....you can access webcams on the left menu.
North Dakota Travel Information Map

Similarly in South Dakota the DOT has updated their map and have great webcams....
www.safetravelusa.com/sd/

Montana DOT road info....
Montana Department of Transportation Traveler Information Map

Minnesota travel road map is nice..
Minnesota Road Traveler Information Service

Here is Manitoba road info
Minnesota Road Traveler Information Service

Be safe and aware of all watches/warning by viewing the NWS Grand Forks and Bismarck webpages....
National Weather Service Forecast Office - Grand Forks, ND
NWS Bismarck, ND Home Page

--Dan

ElkHunter · 09-30-2012, 12:01 PM

Thanks for the Links Dan. I went ahead and incorporated a couple of them in the first post so that "Travel Information" was added.

I agree, I like winter better than I do summer. So many people hole up for winter. We see so many posts about people staying inside and how boring it is. Well, is it boring during the summer? No, because you get out. Well, you have to get out during the winter and there is so much to do it is unbelievable. Every morning I get up and check the temperature. That's not to determine if I am going outsdie, because I am going outside, I check it so I know how many layers to put on. I live in a cabin that is less than 450 sq feet. Outside is my life. Then they say that it is so hard to get around. I use a walker, or a cane, and I don't have any problems getting around.

I'm ready for about 30+ inches of snow and sub zero temps. Let's start out with a bang.

- Edit - I wanted to also add that where I live, weather wise, was boring all summer. We did not get a single "Severe Weather Warning" the entire summer. Not one. I have two weather radio's and I never once had an alert for my area. Maybe winter will be better. Last winter was boring also.

Kamsack · 09-30-2012, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElkHunter

Thanks for the Links Dan. I went ahead and incorporated a couple of them in the first post so that "Travel Information" was added.

I agree, I like winter better than I do summer. So many people hole up for winter. We see so many posts about people staying inside and how boring it is. Well, is it boring during the summer? No, because you get out. Well, you have to get out during the winter and there is so much to do it is unbelievable. Every morning I get up and check the temperature. That's not to determine if I am going outsdie, because I am going outside, I check it so I know how many layers to put on. I live in a cabin that is less than 450 sq feet. Outside is my life. Then they say that it is so hard to get around. I use a walker, or a cane, and I don't have any problems getting around.

I'm ready for about 30+ inches of snow and sub zero temps. Let's start out with a bang.

- Edit - I wanted to also add that where I live, weather wise, was boring all summer. We did not get a single "Severe Weather Warning" the entire summer. Not one. I have two weather radio's and I never once had an alert for my area. Maybe winter will be better. Last winter was boring also.

That was a boring summer...not one warning. We had it quiet too. Go ahead and incorporate what you need into the first page of links. I keep track of web pages at work and know how frequent links can get outdated and changed.

Still unsure how this winter will play out. All very long range guidance keeps saying a weak El-Nino will form this fall and then dissipate Jan-Feb....but so far this El-Nino has yet to increase much and it may never do much. Without that major player....left with other players in the long range pattern where the skill level is quite poor. Thus our local long range expert is going more toward "normal" whatever that is....

Dan

Kamsack · 10-02-2012, 04:52 PM

Just a heads up.... looking over weather data it appears more and more that an early season winter storm willl impact the Red River valley....generally the central and northern parts late Wednesday night into Thursday morning with a period of heavy wet snow. Snow also very possible farther west and south from Bismarck to Devils Lake-Jamestown-Fargo area too...though not as heavy.

Stay tuned...

Dan

Jefferyz · 10-02-2012, 05:09 PM

I predict starting thursday the night crews new to the area will get a taste of the day time highs for the months to come. Burrrr

Kamsack · 10-02-2012, 05:22 PM

Like all storms I caution things can and often do change....these early season ones are tough to call in terms of how much may accumulate as ground temps still in the low-mid 50s. But often snowfall rate can be heavy enough to overcome the warm ground and accumulate on grassy surfaces...

We do stay coolish over the entire state after this into mid October.

Certainly do hope this storm brings moisture to the region....we need it bad. Several towns had evacuations in northwestern Minnesota this afternoon due to fires.