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Writer's pictureThomas Breckel
Dec 21, 20224 min read

Prepare Now Message No. 4


Clinton Co. EMA:


ISSUED: 8 am, 21 December 2022

Clinton County EMA // Message No. 4

Title: Continue to Prepare

Next Update: 8 am, 22 December 2022


NOTE: Primary concern will be dangerously cold temperatures, deadly wind chill, and 40+ mph winds. Snow and ice will impact travel safety and will be complicated by blizzard like conditions on Friday and Saturday.



Update since last message:


- Forecasted wind chill increasing from the negative teens to the negative twenty's.


- NWS expanded the Winter Storm Watch area to the north (does not include Clinton County).


- Rain on Thursday will change to snow overnight and the rapid drop in temperatures pose risk for a flash freeze.


- Snow onset in our area estimated to begin sometime between 10 pm on Thursday and 1 am on Friday. 72 hr snowfall forecast predicting 1-2”


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1. SUMMARY

2. THREAT & TIMELINE

3. PREPARE/MITIGATION

4. RESOURCES

5. NWS MESSAGING


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1. SUMMARY:


Polar vortex will bath most of the central and eastern US into extreme cold temperatures and high winds, with the potential of blizzard like temperatures. Potential for a flash freeze Thursday evening and into early Friday morning will present extremely hazardous driving conditions for the Friday morning commute. Clinton County forecasted winds are nearly 30 mph sustained and 40+ mph gusts, with temperatures near zero and wind chills near -20F. High winds will present a potential for power outages in the region and may complicate restoration times with unsafe conditions (winds exceeding safety operating limits of repair bucket trucks). Residents are STRONGLY encouraged to take preparations for longer than normal outages for Friday and Saturday.


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2. THREAT & TIMELINE:


Thursday: Chances of precipitation through the day with increases starting in the evening and transitioning to snow before midnight. Temperatures drop steadily after sunset to below freezing by midnight.


Friday: At midnight temperatures will continue to quickly fall to the single digits by sunrise with wind chills in the negative teens/twenties. Wind gusts begin Thursday just before midnight and build to nearly 50 mph in the afternoon of Friday. Snow may start before Midnight on Thursday and continue to sunrise with accumulations on top of ice. Chances of snow will continue to noon. Primary threats will be winds and dangerously cold temperatures.


Saturday: Continued dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills with wind gusts 30+ mph.


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3. PREPARE/MITIGATION:


Recommendations:

Review power outage procedures and actions with household / staff (if you don’t have local procedures, reference keyword POWER at https://www.cc-ema.org/prepare).


Check your car emergency kit (https://www.cc-ema.org/kit). Plan long trips carefully and listen to the radio or television for up-to-date weather forecasts and road conditions. In bad weather, drive only if

absolutely necessary. In case you are stranded, keep an emergency kit in your car with these automobile extras:

- Jumper cables

- Flares or reflective triangle

- Ice scraper

- Car cell phone charger

- Blanket

- Map

- Traction pads or cat litter / sand (for better tire traction)


Prepare for Winter Weather (https://www.cc-ema.org/winter).

- Temporarily takedown outdoor holiday decorations that could present a missile hazard in high winds to you or your neighbors.

- Prepare your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulking and weather stripping.

- Learn how to keep pipes from freezing. Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups.

- Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power.

- Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication.

- Remember the needs of your pets.

- Have extra batteries for radios and flashlights.


Ensure staff are signed up for free severe weather notifications/emergency alerts (https://www.cc-ema.org/alerts)

- Use option #1 to opt-in in seconds.

- Use option #2 for detailed geo-tagged/specific address location (you can add multiple locations within Clinton County).


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4. RESOURCES:


How to sign up for Clinton County Emergency Alerts: https://www.cc-ema.org/alerts



NWS SWO Winter Weather: https://www.weather.gov/iln/winter


CCSO issued Snow Emergency Levels: https://clintonsheriff.com/winter-weather-advisories/





Road Condition via Ohio Go: https://ohgo.com/


Clinton County Warming Shelters: https://www.cc-ema.org/post/warming-shelters



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5. NWS MESSAGING:


* Winter Storm Watch has been expanded into parts of northern Ohio.


* An impactful winter storm will affect the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley region Thursday night into the Christmas holiday weekend.


* There is high confidence in a period of very cold temperatures Friday through Sunday.


* There is high confidence in strong winds, especially Thursday night into Saturday.


* With cold temperatures and wind, there is high confidence in dangerously low wind chill values.


*Rain will quickly change to snow Thursday night as Arctic air rushes in. The rapid drop in temperatures poses the risk for a flash freeze. Additional snow is expected Friday into the weekend for parts of northern and eastern Ohio. Although these amounts may not reach typical snowfall criteria for a Winter Storm Warning, this more powdery snow combined with strong winds will result in blowing snow and reduced visibility.


* With the potential for power outages, there is concern with the very cold air and wind chill temperatures settling into the region.


*The overall weather (snow/wind) will improve by Christmas Day as high pressure builds into the Ohio Valley. It will still remain very cold.


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