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Lamar County Multi- Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan <br />Chapter Three <br />HAZARD PROFILE: SECTION SEVEN - SEVERE WINTER STORMS <br />1. Description <br />Winter storms happen in Lamar County when precipitation occurs while the temperature is near <br />or below freezing. This plan defines a winter storm as a single event or combination of the <br />following winter weather types occurring over a wide area of the county. <br />Ice Storm -Ice storms are described by the National <br />Weather Service (NWS) as an occasion when <br />damaging accumulations of ice are expected during <br />freezing rain situations. Significant ice <br />accumulations are usually accumulations of 0.25 <br />inches or greater. These ice accumulations make <br />walking and driving extremely dangerous, and can <br />create extreme hazards to motorists and <br />pedestrians. <br />Heavy Snow - Defined as either a snowfall <br />accumulating to four inches or more in depth in 12 <br />hours or less, or snowfall accumulation to six inches <br />or more in depth in 24 hours or less. <br />• Winter Storm Watch - <br />Significant winter weather <br />is expected. <br />Winter Storm Warning - <br />Significant winter storm <br />or hazardous winter <br />weather is occurring <br />Winter Weather <br />Advisory - When <br />significant winter storms <br />and /or hazardous winter <br />weather is occuring <br />Freezing rain or Freezing drizzle - An occasion "I" <br />when rain or drizzle freezes on surfaces such as trees, power lines, highways, etc. <br />Sleet - Raindrops that freeze into ice pellets before reaching the ground. These pellets usually <br />bounce after hitting surfaces. <br />Extreme Cold - When temperatures <br />drop well below normal for the area it is <br />considered to be Extreme Cold. <br />Exposure to extreme cold temperatures <br />can lead to serious or life- threatening <br />health issues such as hypothermia and <br />frostbite. <br />2. Location <br />Winter Storms have no distinct <br />geographic boundary. They can occur in <br />every area of the county including the <br />north Texas region. Figure 2 provides a <br />map of reported snow and ice events in <br />Lamar County. <br />110 <br />• Snow Flurries - Light snow falling <br />for short durations. A light dusting <br />may occur but no accumulations. <br />• Snow Showers - snow falling at <br />varying intensities for brief <br />periods of time. <br />• Blowing Snow - is wind driven <br />snows that reduces visibility and <br />causes drifting. <br />• Blizzard - Winds over 35 mph <br />with blowing snow reducing <br />visibility to or near zero. <br />