Snow emergency
Encyclopedia
A Snow Emergency is the term used to indicate the active response plan when a snow storm severely impacts a city, county or town in the United States or Canada. Schools, universities, government offices, airports and public buildings may close during a Snow Emergency. The precise meaning of "snow emergency" varies depending on the issuing municipality. Minneapolis, Minnesota
defines a snow emergency as a predefined-duration period of specific parking rules to allow snowplows to move about the entire breadth of every city street. On the other hand, Ohio
snow emergencies are declared as one of three levels; each level defines the recommended or mandated actions of the general public due to severe winter weather.
Typically, a Snow Emergency is declared by the mayor
or other high official
. The declaration is usually issued after the winter storm has impacted a city or county. This is not a product issued by the National Weather Service
, however, Winter Storm Warnings, Blizzard Warnings, and Winter Weather Advisories are taken into account when declaring a Snow Emergency. Snow emergencies are a common occurrence during the winter snowfall season in the Northern United States. The general public is alerted to Snow Emergency status via local broadcast station
s, mass text messaging
services, and public address
systems.
During life-threatening winter storms, a State of Emergency may be declared for an entire state. This declaration overrules a county issued Snow Emergency.
Level Two Snow Emergency: indicates that all driving is discouraged and that you should call ahead before heading to work. Only essential travel is recommended during a Level Two Snow Emergencies. Schools and some businesses do not operate during a Level Two Snow Emergency. A sustained snowfall of about 6-10 inches will likely cause a Level Two Snow Emergency to be declared in some counties.
Level Three Snow Emergency: indicates that all public roadways are closed to the general public. Only police and emergency vehicles should be on the roads. People can be arrested if they decide to drive on public roadways in a non-emergency situation. If a Level Three Snow Emergency is declared when students are at school or when a public building is open, attempts should be made by officials to supply the general public with food and potable water. A sustained snowfall of about 10-12 inches will likely cause a Level Three Snow Emergency to be declared in some counties.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
defines a snow emergency as a predefined-duration period of specific parking rules to allow snowplows to move about the entire breadth of every city street. On the other hand, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
snow emergencies are declared as one of three levels; each level defines the recommended or mandated actions of the general public due to severe winter weather.
Typically, a Snow Emergency is declared by the mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
or other high official
Official
An official is someone who holds an office in an organization or government and participates in the exercise of authority .A government official or functionary is an official who is involved in public...
. The declaration is usually issued after the winter storm has impacted a city or county. This is not a product issued by the National Weather Service
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
, however, Winter Storm Warnings, Blizzard Warnings, and Winter Weather Advisories are taken into account when declaring a Snow Emergency. Snow emergencies are a common occurrence during the winter snowfall season in the Northern United States. The general public is alerted to Snow Emergency status via local broadcast station
Broadcast station
A broadcast station may be:*a radio station*a television stationIt does not include radio networks or television networks.-See also:*Broadcasting*Broadcast network*Station...
s, mass text messaging
Text messaging
Text messaging, or texting, refers to the exchange of brief written text messages between fixed-line phone or mobile phone and fixed or portable devices over a network...
services, and public address
Public address
A public address system is an electronic amplification system with a mixer, amplifier and loudspeakers, used to reinforce a sound source, e.g., a person giving a speech, a DJ playing prerecorded music, and distributing the sound throughout a venue or building.Simple PA systems are often used in...
systems.
During life-threatening winter storms, a State of Emergency may be declared for an entire state. This declaration overrules a county issued Snow Emergency.
Example - Ohio Snow Emergency Levels
Level One Snow Emergency: indicates that roadways are hazardous and that people should drive with extreme caution. During a Level One Snow Emergency, motorists are forbidden to park along side streets and along roadways with signage prohibiting parking during a Snow Emergency. Vehicles may be fined or towed if they are not removed from designated Snow Emergency routes. A sustained snowfall of about 4-8 inches will likely cause a Level One Snow Emergency to be declared in some counties.Level Two Snow Emergency: indicates that all driving is discouraged and that you should call ahead before heading to work. Only essential travel is recommended during a Level Two Snow Emergencies. Schools and some businesses do not operate during a Level Two Snow Emergency. A sustained snowfall of about 6-10 inches will likely cause a Level Two Snow Emergency to be declared in some counties.
Level Three Snow Emergency: indicates that all public roadways are closed to the general public. Only police and emergency vehicles should be on the roads. People can be arrested if they decide to drive on public roadways in a non-emergency situation. If a Level Three Snow Emergency is declared when students are at school or when a public building is open, attempts should be made by officials to supply the general public with food and potable water. A sustained snowfall of about 10-12 inches will likely cause a Level Three Snow Emergency to be declared in some counties.