Are There Differences Between a Winter Storm and a Blizzard?

 

I was watching a television documentary about the terrific loss of life in a storm in Asia. The conclusion was that many lives would have been saved if the weather experts had used the word “Tsunami”, which ordinary people understood. Instead they talked about “Severe Storm” which, to the villagers without television and relying on word of mouth or the radio, did not.

So, what about other terms weather experts might use - and which might help us in understanding emergency planning in our local area?

For example, the terms “winter storm” and “blizzard” seem interchangeable and often thought to be the same thing. In actuality, there are only a few differences between them that classify them as a different type of storm from the other. So what are these differences between a winter storm and a blizzard?

Winter Storm

A winter storm can drop a significant amount of snow on a region, in some cases up to 50cm or more over a period of time. Winter storms also can produce a variety of other precipitation such as freezing rain, ice pellets or even rain, depending on the temperature. Ice storms might form during a winter storm if there is a sudden drop in temperature, enough so that the rain freezes and accumulates rapidly.

Blizzard

A blizzard differs from a winter storm by the length of time it lasts, usually several hours to several days duration. Blizzards always have a heavy snowfall amount, high winds, generally in excess of 56 km an hour, with visibility at less than half a kilometer. A blizzard’s winds can pick up snow that is already on the ground and blow it around causing whiteout conditions, making it impossible to drive.

The wind is the greatest factor in determining a blizzard over a winter storm, but temperature can play a factor as well. The colder temperatures can freeze exposed skin for those trapped outside in vehicles or walking. However, it is the prolonged exposure to the elements that can cause the damage, as snow does not fall in extremely cold temperatures.

Dangers of Winter Storms or Blizzards

The primary dangers associated with winter storms or blizzards are the heavy snowfall amounts, the cold temperatures (especially if your vehicle is stuck on the road) and the high winds in a blizzard. High winds and heavy snow can cause power outages for days, frostbite can occur on exposed skin and even roof collapses due to the weight of heavy snow are possible.

It is important to monitor news and radio reports of approaching winter storms or the potential for blizzards and be prepared for them when they occur. If possible, stay at home and don’t drive or walk during a storm and have enough food, medical supplies and batteries to last the duration of the storm and for at least 5 days after it has passed.

 

 

 

Join John Hicks every week on UK Health Radio, your local radio station, iTunes or Podbean for The Health Kicks Show www.health-kicks.co.uk

Interested in prepping in the UK? Follow Prepping UK on Twitter: @preppingUK

 

Photo courtesy of: Hampshire Snow Clearance www.HampshireSnowClearance.co.uk

Tom Linden's Show: 26th January 2014

In this week's UK Prepper Radio Show (aired on Sunday on UK Health Radio), Tom discusses:

Blizzard Survival Discount Offer, Ribz Discount Offer and the Wilderness121 Discount Offer, So can We Catch Parasites from Foraged Foods? 5 More Survival Uses of Pine Resin, How to Make Hardtack, Pine Pitch for Fire Lighting, Britons Must Dig for Survival, support these companies, Pine Needle Tea, How to make hardtack, Survival Fishing Kit, Survival Gadgets, Survival and Stress, Surviving SHTF, some more companies to support, How to Stop Bleeding With Black Pepper, Knowledge and Training, Survival Trapping, Surviving in the Wood, further companies to support, Tips for Over Night Survival, Survival Napping, Survival Preparedness, A Rough Guide to Radioactivity, How to Use the Internet When the Internet Is Gone.




Join John Hicks every week on UK Health Radio, your local radio station, iTunes or Podbean for The Health Kicks Show www.health-kicks.co.uk

 

Interested in prepping in the UK? Follow Prepping UK on Twitter: @preppingUK

Tom Linden is back on air on UK Health Radio dotcom

Our good friend Tom Linden (pictured), a leading light on the UK prepping scene, has been off poorly so I am absolutely delighted that he is well enough to produce a new edition of his popular UK prepper radio show.

Join Tom on UK Health Radio at 12 noon London time (repeated for a worldwide audience at midnight GMT) at www.ukhealthradio.com

This Sunday, Tom discusses surviving SHTF, Out and About, support these companies, Emergency Survival Items Bug-Out-Bag, I am just, The Gloves are off Post SHTF, Flooded Out- Humour, The Many Uses for A Bandana, Campfire recipes, more companies to support, Stealth Camping, Wilderness Hygiene, Dear Mr Cameron, The Effects of EMP, Further companies to support, Butchered Sheep – Empty Shelves - No Power, Inland fish for food, Survival Knives, Crossing Rivers, Uses of a Pocket Knife.

 

Join John Hicks every week on UK Health Radio, your local radio station, iTunes or Podbean for The Health Kicks Show www.health-kicks.co.uk

 

Interested in prepping in the UK? Follow Prepping UK on Twitter: @preppingUK

Top Ten Items to Stockpile for Natural or Political Disasters

Top Ten Items to Stockpile for Emergencies

By John Hicks of The Health Kicks Show on UK Health Radio

Even if you are not a UK prepper, common sense dictates that every one of us should have basic essentials in reserve for local or national emergencies. Anything from a deluge of snow through to flooding - maybe even a disaster or strike at a local power station, oil refinery or chemical factory in your area - which might disrupt supplies to your local shops or limit fuel supplies which then restrict your ability to get out and about.

 

Here are my top ten sets of items that I recommend you stockpile:

1. Water and Non-Perishable Food. I recommend at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for a minimum period of two weeks. In addition, you should have one of the charcoal water filter flasks. This way you can filter drinking water every day, in case the public water supply is contaminated or fails. Canned goods can be eaten without cooking. Also have dry goods in case cooking is not a problem — consume these first, and save the canned goods. I check my product expiry dates regularly and use up (and replace) canned goods which are starting to run out of date – I still keep water which has run out of date as that will be okay for personal hygiene use.

2. Flashlights and Batteries. Give priority to flashlights that use common batteries, like AA, instead of the exotic batteries that may be hard to find. Batteries have a long shelf life, so stock up plenty of them. Keep a torch by your bed anyway in case power fails in the night.

3. Candles, Matches, and Lighters. A single flame will light up an entire room enough to keep you out of the dark, and large ones will provide a couple of hours of light for weeks. Keep your matches in a waterproof container. Use lighters as a backup.

4. Clothes and Blankets. Keep a complete set of clothes stored in a case or one of the compressible plastic cases where you suck out the air to reduce space and keep the clothes dust and damp free. Give priority to wool — it will keep you warm even in damp conditions. I have a wool hat, woollen thermal socks, wool sweater, a pair of trousers, a scarf, a set of thermal underwear, gloves, and a waterproof, breathable nylon jacket with a hood.

5. Portable Stove or Camp Stove. Propane stoves or liquid-fuel stoves can be used indoors if the room is properly ventilated. Kelly Kettles will burn any available wood or charcoal, and are good if you can cook on a patio or balcony. Give yourself options. I have a set of camping Gaz burners and bottles stored in a box in an outside store.

6. Alternate Heat. You need a backup in case your primary heat source goes out. A fireplace, wood stove, SuperSer or propane space heater will knock the chill out of at least one room. I bought some secondhand gas bottles from e-Bay very cheaply.

7. Alcohol, Coffee, and Cigarettes. Even if you don’t drink or smoke, these make excellent barter items. Also, alcohol can be used as a disinfectant. Buy the cheapest stuff you can find, and give priority to plastic bottles, which are resistant to breaking. Vodka and brandy are good choices. Keep coffee and cigarettes in waterproof containers.

8. Weapons for capturing small animals and as a deterrent for intruders. A crossbow, a powerful air rifle or maybe even a shotgun are good choices. Be sure you have plenty of ammo. Ensure they are all securely stored, away from children’s’ reach.

9. Medical Kit. Your medical kit should include first aid basics, plus an additional supply of whatever regular medications you and your family members take. I have, over a period time by ordering my repeat prescriptions a week early every two months, have now built up two months’ reserves of my medication.

10. Tools. Just the basics here: hammer, screwdrivers, a knife, multitool, tape and glue, rope and twine, and a crowbar. Be sure you keep this kit untouched until the emergency. That way you know it will always be there.

 

 

Join John Hicks every week on UK Health Radio, your local radio station, iTunes or Podbean for The Health Kicks Show www.health-kicks.co.uk

 

Interested in prepping in the UK? Follow Prepping UK on Twitter: @preppingUK

 

Prepping UK introduces new logo

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