What to do if you are caught in a snowstorm
Miscellaneous / / April 06, 2023
These practical tips will help keep you healthy.
How to determine the beginning of a snowstorm
The Ministry of Emergency Situations warns people about the possible beginning of a snowstorm using SMS. If the notification has not arrived, you can navigate by external signs. Most often, there is a snow haze before a blizzard - this is when there are too many snowflakes in the air, and therefore visibility is not very good. There may be no wind.
What can be a blizzard
The most different. Classification helps to understand what bad weather threatens and how it can change. The fact is that a snowstorm often ends in a blowing snowstorm, and that, in turn, is a general one.
- snowstorm - the slowest blizzard, its speed is only 5-6 meters per second. There is no snowfall, the snow is carried by the wind 0.5–2 meters above the ground. So visibility is maintained.
- At blowing snow wind speed can reach 9 meters per second. The snow rises several meters above the ground, the horizon is not visible.
- General blizzard differs by wind with a speed of 10 meters per second. There is a lot of snow, the sky is not visible. And in general, nothing is visible at a distance of several tens of meters.
Until it comes to a general blizzard, you don’t have to worry too much. But if you are out of town, you better hurry up to get to a good shelter. As soon as the blizzard disperses, it will be necessary to act quickly.
What to do if you are caught in a snowstorm while walking
First of all, find shelter as soon as possible. It doesn't matter what it is, anything will do. If there is nothing nearby, proceed as follows:
- Avoid holes and ravines. They will cover the snow, and this is dangerous for you.
- Reach out to friends and let them know where you are. Also call the Ministry of Emergency Situations and ask for help.
- If you run out of energy, stop. Otherwise, you can lose orientation or arrange the necessary halt in a dangerous place.
- Sit in dry snow with your back to the wind. Put on all the things that are at hand. Take in your hand the longest stick you can find. A snow capsule forms around you, which will help you escape from frostbite.
- If you feel that any part of the body has begun to freeze, rub it with a cloth until the sensation returns.
What to do if you are caught in a general snowstorm in the car
Here, too, we must try to find a place where you can wait out the bad weather. Home, hotel or even a gas station - it's better not to risk it and stop as soon as possible. If you are on the highway and there is nothing nearby:
- Inform your relatives and friends about your location and intended route.
- Move on big roads and highways. If the car breaks down, you can ask other drivers for help.
- Reduce your speed. Otherwise, you may not notice a car or person on the road.
- Turn on your headlights so other drivers can see your car.
- If you have to stop, open a window to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Do not go far from the car, it must always be in sight.
What to do if a severe snowstorm finds you at home
If you live in a big city, don't worry. But if you are in a private house in some village, it is better to prepare.
- Close doors, vents, windows. If there are shutters, use them. Or, reinforce the windows by sticking paper strips on them criss-cross.
- Remove things from the balcony and window sills.
- Prepare a supply of food, water, and emergency medicines. This can be done if the snowstorm is just beginning, and the store and pharmacy are near the house.
- Follow the news. So you will learn not only about the weather, but also about the likely outages of water or electricity.
- Don't go outside unless absolutely necessary. If you still need to go out, warn family members or friends about the proposed movements.
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