Possible snow in forecast for the weekend

Stay safe with winter driving tips as temperatures set to plummet

By DON WILBURN

donaldfwilburn@gmai.com

Perhaps the old saying “better late than never” doesn’t always apply. While Crittenden County residents weren’t lucky enough to have a white Christmas last month winter seems to have finally caught up with us as the National Weather Service’s forecast indicates that Northeastern Arkansas may experience snow showers with a 30%-50 percent chance of occurrence between 5 and 8 a.m. on Saturday morning. Although the snowfall will be minimal, it has the potential to mark the first official snow of the season.

During this period of possible snow, temperatures will drop to the low 30s, with wind chill making it feel as cold as 23 degrees. Beginning on Friday night, rain showers may transition into snowfall, lasting until 8 a.m. on Saturday, followed by a return to rain that will continue throughout the evening. The NWS predicts a rainfall of approximately 0.01 inches between 5 a.m. and noon. Cloud coverage will be moderate in the morning but will increase in the evening, accompanied by an intensification of rainfall.

If caught unprepared in a winter storm, there are crucial steps you can take to ensure your safety whether you are outside, in a vehicle, or inside your home or office. If you find yourself driving during a storm, it is important to take the following precautions:

■ ■ Reduce your speed significantly, even if the roads merely appear wet. They could still be slippery, and weather-related conditions result in over

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5,000 fatalities annually.

■ Before starting your trip, ensure that your vehicle is completely clear of ice and snow. Flying snow from cars can lead to accidents.

■ Inform someone of your destination and the route you plan to take. This way, if an emergency occurs, that person will have a starting point for a search.

■ Before leaving your house, make sure to carry a fully charged mobile phone, a car charger, and an emergency supplies kit in your vehicle (refer to the graphic above for a list of essential items).

■ In the event that you begin to skid while driving, remain calm. Ease your foot off the gas pedal and turn your wheels in the direction you want the front of the car to go. If your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), apply steady pressure to the brake pedal. Avoid pumping the brakes on an ABSequipped vehicle.

If your vehicle gets stuck during a storm, remember the following:

■ Do not leave the vehicle. Leaving your vehicle can quickly lead to disorientation in wind-driven snow and cold.

■ Run the engine for approximately 10 minutes each hour to maintain heat.

Winter weather season is in full swing! Here are some safety tips from the National Weather Service concerning cold-weather preparedness and winter driving.

Image courtesy of National Weather Service