Tornado threat warning as bomb cyclone and ice storm batters US this weekend

Don’t seek refuge in your car

Even though it may function as a temporary shelter from a winter storm, you should avoid waiting out winter conditions in your car.

“Sheltering in a trapped vehicle can be dangerous,” experts at The Weather Channel explained.

A car’s metal frame creates “a very frigid situation,” and regulating temperature inside the car can be tricky.

Running your engine may not be a safe solution, either.

“Only do so if you know that you can keep the exhaust pipe clear,” The Weather Channel’s winter safety video explains.

“Snow and slush buildup around the pipe can block the exhaust and cause carbon monoxide poisoning.”

High winds can reportedly trigger migraines

When it’s blowing a gale outside, the body can react as if it is under attack and produce so-called fight or flight reflexes, such as raised heart rate and heightened emotions.

And high winds can also trigger a migraine.

One reason is the effect on the hypothalamus, the area of the brain that monitors the body’s functions; it can lead to constriction or swelling of the blood vessels in the head which can cause the pain associated with migraine. 

Scientists at the University of Calgary in Canada looked at the links between migraine sufferers having an attack and the occurrence of Canadian ‘Chinook’ winds – warm westerly winds specific to Alberta, Canada, which have a definite onset time and are an indicator of profound weather change. 

Of 75 patients studied, 32 were more likely to have migraines during Chinook weather conditions than on days without them.

Why joint pains can signal rain

Damp weather does seem to make joint pain and osteoarthritis worse. 

While there is no conclusive evidence to explain this, it may be due to pressure receptors (baroreceptors) in the joint sensing the drop in atmospheric pressure when the weather changes from dry to rainy. 

The level of fluid in the joint then fluctuates in response to these changes, which might trigger pain in the nerves.

Winter storm names

These are the names the Weather Channel chose for winter storms during the 2021 to 2022 season:

• Atticus
• Bankston
• Carrie
• Delphine
• Elmer
• Frida
• Garrett
• Hatcher
• Izzy
• Jasper
• Kenan
• Landon
• Miles
• Nancy
• Oaklee
• Phyllis
• Quinlan
• Rachel
• Silas
• Tad
• Usher
• Vega
• Willow
• Xandy
• Yeager
• Zion

Why did the US start naming storms, continued

Established by the World Meteorological Organization, a list of names are now used to identify Atlantic hurricanes on a six-year rotation.

The only time that there is a change is if a storm is so deadly or costly that the future use of its name on a different storm is considered inappropriate.

In the event that more than twenty-one named tropical cyclones occur in a season, a supplemental list of names are used.

As for winter storms, The Weather Channel has been naming winter storms since the 2012-2013 winter season.

Why did the US start naming storms?

Tropical storms and hurricanes were tracked by year and the order they occurred until the early 1950s.

However, over time, it was discovered that distinctive names would be needed to reduce confusion and streamline communications when two or more tropical storms occur at the same time.

That came after storm advisories broadcast from radio stations were mistaken for warnings concerning an entirely different storm located hundreds of miles away.

Aftermath of a winter storm, continued

Chubb.com recommends that you follow these steps after a winter storm has passed:

• Clear the snow
• Clean off your roof
• Look for damage to trees
• Make sure smoke and carbon monoxiode detectors are working
• Check the insides of your home
• Don’t foget about your pets
• Stay warm
• Avoid driving right away

Dealing with the aftermath of a winter storm

There are always challenges to deal with after a winter storm, whether you got two inches or two feet of snow, especially if you lose electricity.

Even if your electricity doesn’t come back on right away, here are some recommendations for digging out swiftly, cleaning up efficiently, and staying safe and warm.

Keep your pets safe, continued

Follow these recommendations to keep your pets safe and healthy during a winter storm:

• Keep pets indoors
• Provide outdoor shelter for outdoor pets
• Care for your pets’ feet
• Provide extra food and water
• Use leashes when walking near water
• Don’t leave pets locked inside a car
• Keep antifreeze out of reach of pets
• Check vehicles before starting cars to avoid hazards involving pets

Keep your pets safe

Chapped paws and itchy, flaky skin can result from exposure to the dry, cold air of winter, as well as chilling rain, sleet, and snow, but these aren’t the only problems that dogs face.

If chemicals from ice-melting products are licked off of bare paws, winter walks can turn harmful.

Mass.gov revealed experts’ suggestions to help avoid cold weather hazards from hurting your pet’s health.

Preparing for power outages

During periods of severe cold or heat, power interruptions can be perilous. Power outages can also be problematic for people who use medical gadgets that rely on energy.

Power outages may be mitigated by planning ahead of time and keeping you and your family safe.

Do the following to prepare:

• If power disruptions are predicted, fully charge your cellphone, laptop, and other electrical devices before the storm.
• If your medical equipment is powered by electricity, discuss your choices with your health care professionals, utility company, and personal support network during a power outage. Talk to relatives, friends, and your support network if you’ll need help during an outage.
• Consider getting a generator to keep your home powered up in the event of a power outage. Before an outage, read the manufacturer’s instructions and understand how to operate it properly.

Tips if you have to drive during a storm

Unless absolutely necessary, avoid driving during winter storms. If you must travel, here are some driving safety recommendations.

• Avoid driving during the storm’s harshest parts. Only travel during daytime hours if feasible, don’t travel alone, and stick to main highways rather than taking shortcuts.
• Take use of public transit.
• Before driving, clear snow and ice off windows, lights, the hood, and the roof.
• Make sure there’s enough area to stop.
• Don’t attempt to outsmart the weather. Keep in mind that the specified speed restrictions apply only to dry pavement.

Biggest snowstorms of all time: ranked

According to How Stuff Works, the 10 biggest snowstorms of all time are:

• The Blizzard of 1888: Northeastern United States
• The Storm of the Century, 1993: Eastern United States
• New York City Blizzard of 2006
• Lhunze County, Tibet in 2008
• Mount Shasta, California in 1959
• The Eastern Canadian Blizzard of 1971: Quebec and Ontario, Canada
• The Iran Blizzard of 1972: Iran and Azerbaijan
• The Great Snow of 1717: New England
• The Buffalo Blizzard of 1977
• Snowmageddon of 2014: Atlanta

Biggest snowstorms of all time

The NESIS takes into account the fact that some of the deadliest storms feature little snowfalls that are blown out of sight by hurricane-force winds.

Some storms are more severe than others because they hit big cities or are so broad that they hit many cities.

The Weather Channel in Missouri

Meteorologist Justin Michaels is now in Kansas City, Missouri to report on Winter Storm Quinlan.

Roads in ‘decent shape’ in Kansas City

Field Weather Reporter Charles Peek reported from Kansas City, Missouri during Winter Storm Quinlan on Thursday, and the Weather Channel shared his update on Twitter.

“Road conditions are in decent shape as #winterstorm #Quinlan pushes through the Kansas City area,” Peek tweeted.

“Fans are making their way to the @Big12Conference basketball tournament as the snow falls.”

If you can’t find cover parking

Lifting the wipers of your car will make it easier to scrape your windshield after the snowstorm.

It can also prevent your wiper blades from freezing to the windshield.

However, if you forget to lift up your wipers, it will not cause any damage.

Storing your car during a snowstorm

If you don’t have a covered parking spot, you can ask a friend or a family member if they have an extra one.

Perhaps you know someone who has a two- or three-car garage.

If you don’t know anyone who has an extra covered parking spot, you can put your car in storage.

On average, it costs about $45 to put a standard vehicle in storage for a day.

However, rates can vary depending on the facility that you choose.

Before the storm hits, continued

If you have any chargers, purses, garage openers, or keys in your car, you will want to take them out.

Finally, lock your vehicle. This seems simple, but it is easily forgotten.

You will be away from your vehicle for an extended period, so it doesn’t hurt to double-check that you have locked it.

What to do before the storm hits

Winter storms can last for days, and it’s never good to leave a car dirty for an extended period of time.

Acidic material could eat away at your paint, and car covers could rub dirt around the clearcoat and make scratches.

So if you know a winter storm is coming, it is a good idea to clean it off quickly, before you park it somewhere safe for the duration of the storm.

After you have washed your vehicle, collect any belongings that you might need over the next few days out of your car.

What happens during a cyclone?

It occurs when a midlatitude cyclone rapidly intensifies, dropping at least 24 millibars — A millibar measures atmospheric pressure — over 24 hours.

This can happen when a cold air mass collides with a warm air mass.

An example is when chilly air moves over warm ocean waters.

The formation of this rapidly strengthening weather system is a process called bombogenesis, which creates what is known as a bomb cyclone.

Where do bomb cyclones occur?

“Bomb cyclones” occur most frequently along coastlines where warm water is present.

The warm water creates a strong temperature gradient from its surface to the atmosphere just above it.

What is a bomb cyclone?

Bomb cyclone is a popular term used by meteorologists for explosive cyclogenesis or bombogenesis.

A bomb cyclone occurs when a low-pressure system’s central pressure drops at least 24 millibars — a millibar measures atmospheric pressure — over 24 hours or less.

This can happen when a cold air mass collides with a warm air mass.

Bombogenesis, “occurs when a mid-latitude cyclone rapidly intensifies,” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Tornadoes in the Carolinas

“Damaging wind and a few tornadoes are possible late Friday night into early Saturday morning across parts of the Southeast and coastal Carolinas,” the Storm Prediction Center said.

The winds and possible tornadoes would come during thunderstorms that are probable in the area during that time period.

Possible power outages

In southern New England, wind gusts could reach 70 to 90 mph, according to AccuWeather.

Power outages could be “extensive” as a result of the windy weather.