WINTER STORM BLASTS EASTERN USA

January 25, 2000 — An intense winter storm roared through the East Coast of the United States Monday and Tuesday. NOAA's National Weather Service is providing the latest forecasts and satellite images in order to track the storm. (Click image for larger view.)[NOAA Photo: Deck of Arlington, Virginia, home January 25, 2000]

After experiencing the second warmest year on record last year, and a very warm start to winter, cold weather and snow have now hit the East Coast with a vengeance. The warm and dry winter came to an abrupt end when the jet stream shifted southward and roared into the eastern U.S. bringing bitter cold temperatures, strong winds and snow.

(Click image for larger view.)

Winter storm moves up East Coast. (NOAA satellite image January 24)

NOAA's National Service reminds you to take precautions against the weather.

The first step to a safe winter is to stay tuned to the weather by monitoring TV, radio or NOAA Weather Radio—the broadcast system that transmits local weather service warnings and forecasts around the clock. Every year hundreds of people die needlessly because they are unaware of winter weather advisories.

The wind chill factor can make those already cold temperatures seem even colder. Be prepared. Guard against the possibility of frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in fingers, toes, ear lobes, or the tip of the nose. Hypothermia causes uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness or apparent exhaustion.

In your car, and at home, have a flashlight available, with extra batteries, keep extra food and water available, have extra medicine and first aid supplies, keep gas in your tank near full and try not to travel alone.

If you absolutely must leave the house, dress in layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing. Make sure to wear a hat, mittens and cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.

KNOW YOUR WINTER WEATHER TERMS

NOAA's WINTER WEATHER INTERNET REFERENCES

U.S. THREAT ASSESSMENT

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICES ACROSS THE USA

NOAA SATELLITE IMAGES — Real-time satellite images

NOAA's CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER

METEOROLOGICAL CALCULATOR

NEW SUPERCOMPUTER HELPS NOAA'S WEATHER SERVICE IMPROVE SPEED AND ACCURACY OF WEATHER FORECASTS

NORTH ATLANTIC OSCILLATION

More Information on the NORTH ATLANTIC OSCILLATION

Media Contact
For more information contact Curtis Carey, NOAA's Natioinal Weather Service headquarters, at (301) 713-0622.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE REGIONAL PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACTS

NOAA SATELLITE IMAGE OF THE DAY. NOAA's Operational Significant Event Imagery (OSEI) team provides daily satellite images of significant events for media use. These images are to be credited to NOAA.

 

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