For Immediate Release: January 18, 2018

Media Contacts:
Vermont Emergency Management: Mark Bosma, 802-839-6717
Vermont Department of Health: Ben Truman, 802-951-5153 / 802-863-7281
Vermont Division of Fire Safety: 800-640-2106

 

Exercise caution in the cold and snow

WATERBURY, VT – The entire state of Vermont is under a Winter Storm Warning for an expected snowfall of up to 2-feet accompanied by wind and 20+ below zero wind chills later in the weekend.  Sub-zero wind chills will be prevalent in areas throughout the weekend, with the coldest temperatures on Monday.

For weather safety, please visit:

www.healthvermont.gov/environment/climate/winter-weather,
www.vem.vermont.gov/preparedness/winter and
www.firesafety.vermont.gov/pubed/media.

Highlights:

  • Please check on the welfare of neighbors, family, and friends who are elderly or otherwise need assistance.
  • Make sure you have sufficient heating fuel (wood, oil, etc.) for the weekend.  Clear heating vents of snow and ensure you have working smoke and CO alarms.
  • Dress warm, and be mindful of hypothermia and frostbite symptoms – especially if you are going to be outside for an extended period, like on a trek or skiing/boarding. Make sure infants are kept warm. www.healthvermont.gov/environment/climate/winter-weather.
  • Be mindful of conditions before traveling.  Visit http://newengland511.org/ for road conditions.  Slow down and leave extra time to reach your destination if you must travel.  Blowing snow reduces visibility significantly.
  • Contact 9-1-1 in an emergency.
  • Call 2-1-1 if you need a warm place to go, heating resources, or other resource needs.
  • Before heading out to enjoy the snow, please review this previous notice from Vermont’s Search and Rescue Coordinator: http://vtstatepolice.blogspot.com/2019/01/vermonters-urged-to-take-precautions.html

Check the National Weather Service website for forecast updates:

www.weather.gov/aly - Bennington and Windham County forecast office
www.weather.gov/btv - Rest of Vermont (includes information for southern two counties)

Follow the National Weather Service on Social Media:

NWS Albany – https://www.facebook.com/NWSAlbany/ or https://twitter.com/NWSAlbany
NWS Burlington – https://www.facebook.com/NWSBurlington or https://twitter.com/NWSBurlington

Follow the #WinterReadyVT hashtag for news from state agencies.