This weekend will have some of the coldest temperatures we’ve had this season, possibly along with something we haven’t seen yet this fall -- snow.
Now, if there turns out to be no snow, please do not get mad at CityBeat. Don’t tell your kids they’ll be off school Monday only to leave them disappointed by the more-likely slushy rainy snow mix.
The weekend forecast starts out fine. The National Weather Service (NWS) says Friday will be sunny and in the low 50’s for the high and a low of 32°. There's a 50% chance of rain showers in the evening.
Saturday looks to be mostly cloudy, with a high of 44° and a low of 32°.
Sunday is where the chance of snow comes in. The NHS predicts a high of 48° and a low of 30° with a 30% chance of rain or snow.
If there is any snow Sunday, it probably won’t stick around for too long. But there are plenty of chances for storms in the coming months. After the most recent winter’s snowfall broke a 120-year-old-record in April, people are rightfully anxious about the upcoming season.
In preparation for the upcoming Ohio winter, Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted and the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness have declared Nov. 14 - 20 "Winter Safety Awareness Week."
“Winter Safety Awareness Week is the ideal time for Ohioans to prepare for winter and cold weather-related incidents,” Ohio Emergency Management Agency Executive Director Sima Merick says in a release. “Take time to restock your emergency supply kits, ensure your home and vehicles are prepped and maintained and review your emergency plans. Also, it’s not too late to get vaccinations to protect yourself and family from influenza and the coronavirus.”
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts that the Midwest will have “above-normal or wetter-than-average precipitation" this winter.
The governor and his team say they want tWinter Safety Awareness Week to encourage Ohioans to prepare for the season and “minimize the potential risks associated with winter weather.”
“We need to be mindful that preparing for winter is not just getting ready for snow and ice,” Merick notes. “Just last month, a total of six tornadoes touched down in Ross, Highland, and Pickaway counties. We truly need to be prepared for all weather and home emergencies.”
The organization offers these safety tips to help protect Ohioans and their families this winter:
Practice fire safety and prevention With the winter months, holiday season, and the continuing pandemic, people will spend more time indoors and will cook, decorate, and possibly entertain more which can lead to an increase in home fires. The best protection is to have working smoke detectors. Test your detectors monthly. Conduct fire drills.
Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors twice a year – when you change your clocks, change your batteries. Have auxiliary heaters, furnaces, and fireplaces checked or serviced before using.
Remember that cooking-related fires are the number one cause of house fires. Never leave cooking food unattended. Keep towels, potholders, and paper products away from heated stoves.
Prepare your home for winter Cut and remove low-hanging and dead tree branches. Strong winds, ice, and snow can cause tree limbs to break and cause damage to your home. Have your gutters cleaned. Snow and ice can build up quickly with debris if clogged and cause additional damage.
Prepare winter emergency supplies kits for the home and vehicle Check the expiration dates on nonperishable food items, bottled water/beverages, and medications. Winter emergency kits should include essential items such as flashlights, extra batteries, blankets, coats, hats, gloves, a battery-operated radio/weather radio, first aid kit, cell phone and charger, and enough nonperishable food and water (one gallon per person, per day) to sustain every household member for several days. Lastly, store food, bottled water, and supplies for each of your pets.
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