Graphic by Allison Lauter
Cape Girardeau and surrounding counties are facing harsh winter weather continuing through this week. People can expect icy precipitation, snow and sleet up to an inch and ice accumulations on the roads according to the National Weather Service.
With snow and sleet in the forecast, the National Weather Service meteorologist Keith Cooley wanted to clarify what all the weather terms means when posted either online or on television.
“When we issue a winter weather advisory, we are basically looking for wintery weather in the area. Travel impacts may not completely shut down travel, but it will certainly affect it,” Cooley saud. “It just means the weather could be a nuisance and become potentially dangerous.”
Winter weather warning is just as it suggests. Meteorologists are looking at the accumulation of snow or heavier sleet in total to decide whether the weather system should be a warning or an advisory. Winter storm warnings means travel has become dangerous, conditions have deteriorated, and accumulation is expected whether it is snow, sleet, or frozen rain.
Graphic by Allison Lauter
Cooley said to keep up to date with current weather conditions, the National Weather Service posts frequently on their Facebook page.
“We let people know what is to be expected of any weather front that comes in,” Cooley said. “To find current road conditions in the Southeast Missouri area, go to Missouri Traveler Map and that will give students the information they need about roads.”
The Red Cross gives ideas on what to have in the car in case of emergency during a winter storm. Those items are:
Cell Phone Charger
Flashlights with extra batteries
Blankets
Fleece hats, gloves, and scarves
Sand or kitty litter (to dump behind the tires if car gets stuck)
Ice scraper/snow brush
First Aid kit
Hand-crank radio
Water (a gallon per person)
Food (think granola bars, trail mix, jerky, dried fruit)
Graphic by Allison Lauter
The Red Cross also advised students that if they get stranded somewhere on the road to stay in their vehicles. It is more dangerous to get out to seek help.
Senior Mass Communications: Multimedia Journalism student Justin Trovillion was unable to get to his lab due to his driveway being iced over. “There was no way I could have made it up my driveway and to the car, I was not able to get out,” Trovillion said. “I honestly found it a little hard to believe that SEMO did not even push us back or cancel the day.”
Trovillion is hoping the ice is not bad throughout the week and he can make it to his classes.
Being prepared in a winter storm is essential to survival, especially living in a dorm. Cabrini University put out a guide for students and how to prepare for winter on campus. Having proper snow shoes, layering up and staying hydrated are among the few.
For new updates on classes at Southeast visit University Closings.