November 30, 2022, is designated as the start of Winter Weather Safety Week in West Central Texas. Meteorologist in Charge Amy Campbell and Warning Coordination Meteorologist Mike Castillo, NWS, will discuss the winter weather outlook and how La Nina may impact our upcoming winter in West Central Texas. To help us prepare for the winter season, representatives from the Texas Department of Transportation and Department of Public Safety will join the NWS to discuss ways we can stay safe on the road and at home during the winter months. If adverse winter weather strikes, it is always better to be prepared and know how to stay safe.
Each year, motorists lose their lives on icy roads and bridges. It only takes a small amount of ice accumulation on these surfaces to make a vehicle go out of control. The Texas Department of Public Safety urges motorists to slow down to the conditions of the roadway. Motorists should not assume the posted speed limit is the safe speed. Excellent winter weather travel safety information from TxDOT will also be provided. Now is the time to prepare for adverse winter weather. For road conditions, please go to the Texas Department of Transportation’s website www.drivetexas.org or call 1-800-452-9292. Good winter weather safety tips are also included on the following page and in the web links below.
Here’s a winter weather action plan:
1) Have more than one way to receive NWS Winter Weather Watches and Warnings
2) Prepare your vehicle; Monitor temperatures and visibilities
3) Check road conditions at www.drivetexas.org and drive according to the condition of the highway
4) Practice safe fire prevention
5) Assemble a disaster kit
Information on winter weather safety can be also found at the following links:
http://www.weather.gov/sjt/winterweathersafety
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winter
https://drivetexas.org
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/ThreatAwareness/winterstorm.htm
http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies
“Working Together To Save Lives”
Mike Castillo
Warning Coordination Meteorologist
National Weather Service