With winter soon upon us, it is important for faculty and students to be prepared. For some students this might be your first winter with snow. Other students might be experts in snow navigation. One thing to know about Cedar City weather is that it’s unpredictable. You could get several inches of snow in the morning that’s gone by afternoon.
And snow isn’t the only weather to worry about. Get ready for some wind. Serious wind. Technically, the windiest time of year in Cedar City is January through April. But that doesn’t mean in the next couple months you won’t find yourself you’ll head outside and it’s windy with strong gusts that seem to come out of nowhere.
Below are guidelines provided by Southern Utah University’s Emergency Management page and other weather services.
SUU sends out live updates to students and faculty to keep them informed about severe weather conditions. Sometimes, storms can delay SUU’s starting time or even force the school to cancel the day completely. Take the time to check emails for messages about what the school is doing.
When the weather gets bad, it is best to stay home. If travel is necessary, there are precautions to take. Leave plenty of time to get to your destination and be alert about where you are going. If you are walking, it is important to dress warmly. Wear layers and cover the head and hands. Keep an eye out for ice, walking slowly across it to avoid Injury. Be extra aware of black ice. Black ice may look like a wet spot and will blend in with the road, but can be dangerous. If driving is a must, make sure to go slow and increase following distance.
Before leaving, check tire pressure to make sure the air didn’t get too low in the colder temperatures, that the windshield wipers are working to increase visibility while driving through storms and the gas tank to make sure it’s full for traction on the road.
It’s crucial to have a snow scraper to brush snow and scrape ice off your car. Buying a de-icer spray would also help clear your windshield and windows. Do not drive your vehicle until your windshield is defrosted and there is enough snow and ice removed so that you can have full visibility through the windshield, both side windows and the rear window. It is not enough to just scrape off a small circle from the windshield. If you limit your visibility, you are putting yourself and others at risk of serious harm. This also includes leaving snow on the top of your vehicle. This snow can fall off in small flakes, limiting the visibility of those around you, or fall off in chunks and cause damage. Make sure to have full visibility and clean off the vehicle as much as possible for your own safety and the safety of others.
During snow storms, snow and ice can accumulate on the road, making it harder to start and stop. Avoid quick stops, starts and turns when on the roads. You want to accelerate slowly, brake gently, and avoid sharp turns. Going too fast can make you lose control of your car. If you start to slide, you will want to ease off the gas and turn into the slide to straighten out your car. Be extra aware of your surroundings at all times.
Please make sure you have emergency supplies. In your car you can keep blankets, extra clothes, a first aid kit and non-perishable items in case you get trapped. In your house, you will want to check all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are functioning properly. You’ll want supplies that could last days in case you are stuck in your house for multiple days. Keep warm as best as possible.
For more information, check out SUU’s Winter Safety and ready.gov, or other local weather services.
Author and Photographer: Maddi Munro
Editor: Chevy Blackburn
Copy Editor: Kayd Johanson
outdoors@suunews.net
