Dakota Weather, Inc.

12/19/2024

Day late but here is your Weather Wednesday topic...

Holiday Travel

Being aware of the weather conditions when traveling is crucial to ensuring a safe journey. According to the Department of Transportation, each year 24% of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement, and 15% happen while snow or sleet is actively falling.

As the holiday travel season is ramping up again quickly, continue to stay weather aware as it will ensure you and your family arrive at your destination safely.

Check the forecast ahead of time at weather.gov
Check the road conditions from the state DOT or dial 511
Stay current with expected conditions as your trip progresses
Winterize your vehicle
Have a winter emergency kit in your vehicle

11/13/2024

It's Weather Wednesday this week we will be talking about why Bridges Freeze First

You’ve probably seen road signs advising that bridges freeze before roads, but do you know why?

Having open air underneath the bridge means the cold air surrounds the bridge both above and below.
If there’s even the chance that a bridge might be frozen, SLOW DOWN! And do it before you cross the bridge - changing speed on ice is dangerous. www.weather.gov/safety/winter

11/11/2024

10/16/2024

It's Weather Wednesday this week we will be talking about
Winterize Your Home

With the mild weather continuing, don’t forget winter is still coming…now is the time to start preparing for the winter season ahead.

Use the days and weeks ahead to complete the necessary preparations before the snow starts to fly.

Inspect seals and insulation on any doors and windows

Complete any outdoor building maintenance items

Clean up gardens and vegetation beds and remove leaves from gutters

Winterize lawn sprinkles

Keep enough non-perishable food, water, and medications for at least 3 days.

Check the furnace and fireplace and replace filters as necessary.

10/02/2024

It's Weather Wednesday this week we will be talking about
Dense Fog Safety

Driving in fog can be dangerous, with over 38,000 vehicle crashes occurring each year. Of those crashes, over 600 people are killed and more than 16,300 people are injured annually. Be on the lookout for sudden changes in visibility, and if reduced visibilities are encountered while driving, do not change lanes or pass other vehicles unless absolutely necessary. Slow down, turn off cruise control, reduce “in vehicle” distractions, and be sure that you can stop within the distance that you can see.

09/11/2024

It's weather Wednesday, this week's topic is
Wildfire Prevention

Did you know that almost 90% of wildland fires in the United States are caused by people? Wildfires are caused by a spark, and can be done by many everyday things such as: vehicles and machinery, cigarette butts, fireworks, campfires & burning brush, along with naturally occurring lightning strikes. Do your part to keep ignition sources away from dry vegetation, wood, and other fuels to the best of your ability. This is especially true on days where there are strong winds, high temperatures, and low humidity, particularly during drought conditions.
Always follow burn bans along with local, state, and federal regulations.

08/21/2024

It's Weather-Ready Wednesday, this week we are talking about...
Lightning Safety
Lightning strikes the U.S. 25 million times a year, which sometimes results in death or permanent injury. On average, 20+ people are killed, and hundreds more are injured each year - often in devastating and permanent ways. Thunderstorms produce deadly lightning capable of striking up to 10 miles away from the storm — so, even if you don't see rain, you could be in harm’s way.

Remember these simple messages: “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!” & “See a flash, dash inside!”

08/07/2024

This week's weather Wednesday topic is: Extreme Wind

Did you know that nearly 50% of all severe weather reports are from damaging wind? Winds are considered severe when they reach 58 mph, with the strongest of thunderstorms capable of producing wind speeds in excess of 100 mph. Strong winds can knock over semi-trucks, trees, powerlines, and mobile homes, and are capable of producing damage paths hundreds of miles long.

During high winds, you are safest indoors. Immediately go inside a sturdy building and move to an interior room or basement away from windows. If you are in a mobile home, move to a sturdy building before the winds pick up or the storm system reaches your location.

07/24/2024

Its weather Wednesday, this week we will be discussing

Understanding Severe Thunderstorm Outlook Categories

Do you know the risk categories for severe weather? How about the difference between a Watch vs. a Warning? Let’s explore each a little deeper:

Outlooks: Issued up to several days in advance of severe weather for a broad region on a scale of 1 to 5 (1-Marginal, 2-Slight, 3-Enhanced, 4-Moderate, 5-High). These outlooks highlight and categorize the areas of risk for severe weather.

Watch: A watch means Be Prepared. Stay informed and be ready to act, because conditions are favorable for severe weather but not imminent. Typically, issued hours before severe weather and for a large area. Watches come in the form of either a severe thunderstorm watch, or a tornado watch.

Warning: A warning means take action! Take shelter in a strong building, because severe weather is occurring or is imminent. Warnings are typically issued minutes before severe weather and for a smaller area. Warnings are issued separately for severe thunderstorms, and for tornadoes.

07/03/2024

This week's topic for weather Wednesday is asking the question are you Weather-Ready for Nature?

Summer brings ample opportunities to spend time outdoors, which may involve breaking out the tent and hitting the campsite. While spending time outdoors is great, this also comes with increased exposure to potentially dangerous weather hazards such as flash flooding, lightning, and excessive heat. Before you and the family head to the campgrounds, identify which hazards you may be at risk for during your trip by checking the latest forecast information and how you can mitigate those risks.

06/21/2024

Please stay off the roads if you see water on them. Please keep yourself and our first responders safe.

06/05/2024

This weeks Weather Wednesday topic is
Extreme Heat Planning

Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths most years. Warm temperatures can quickly rise to dangerous levels - especially in the summer months and in parked cars. Children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses are especially vulnerable to heat exposure.

Children should NEVER be left in a car, no matter the time of year. Vehicular heatstroke has occurred when outside temperatures are below 70 degrees F - sunlight can cause the inside of a car to heat up VERY quickly. In addition, ensure that your loved ones and neighbors are safe from the heat when conditions warrant, especially if they don’t have air conditioning.

Don’t wait until the heat arrives to begin protecting yourself. If the forecast calls for extreme heat, begin preparing NOW. Stay Weather-Ready.

05/10/2024

Today we are going to talk about Tornado Safety, do you know what to do or where to go?

Your NOAA Weather Radio or phone go off for a tornado warning, do you know what to do? For many who have lived here for a while, you may know where your designated tornado shelter is at home, work, school, etc. Others may need a refresher on what constitutes a good tornado shelter. To keep it simple, find an interior room on the lowest level of the building with no windows or outside walls.

04/05/2024

A wound up storm system is forecast to develop across much of the region Friday through Monday, with the strongest winds occurring Saturday afternoon and evening. There is potential for wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph, out of the southeast, to impact locations ahead of incoming showers and thunderstorms by evening. Strong southeast to east winds gusting at 30 to 45 mph will continue through Sunday afternoon, before gradually decreasing and turning northeast to north Sunday evening through early Monday morning.

04/04/2024

Stronger winds are slated to return on Saturday which will bring not only an increase in fire danger, but also hazardous crosswinds for driving and potential for some tree damage. Some of the strongest winds (50+ mph gusts) could occur in conjunction with rainfall spreading into the area later Saturday.

02/07/2024

Rain with a Temperature Near Freezing

Rain may seem like less of a winter driving hazard than snow, but when temperatures are near freezing, that is not the case. Ice can form quickly and make roads slick. In these conditions, slow down, don’t use cruise control, and keep plenty of distance between you and other vehicles. Don’t let this winter hazard sneak up on you!
Safety Tips:

Slow down

Do not use cruise control

Leave plenty of distance between you and other vehicles

01/24/2024

This week's weather topic is:
Driving in Dense Fog

Driving in fog can be dangerous. In patchy fog, fog can lower visibility quickly and unexpectedly, especially if you are driving fast. Dense fog reduces visibility to a quarter mile or less, which could result in motor vehicle accidents.

When fog reduces your visibility while driving:

Use your low-beam headlights

Do not change lanes or pass others unless necessary

Leave plenty of distance between you and other vehicles

Most of all, SLOW DOWN!