12-3-13 heavy snow, arctic cold in the forecast

Keep your eyes on the weather this week, as a series of snowstorms will be moving across the northern half of the state bringing up to 17 inches of snow in far northwestern Wisconsin. Following the snow, arctic air will move in across most of the state dropping daytime high temperatures to the single digits in the north and teens in the south. The cold and heavy snow could cause treacherous driving conditions.  Now is the time to get ready for the storm.   Get your vehicles and home ready and plan for slick roads if you are traveling. Here are a few simple things you can do:

Have an emergency winter weather survival kit in your vehicle. Your kit should include water, snack food such as energy bars or raisins, first aid kit and booster cables. If you have a cell phone make sure you have a power adapter you can plug into the lighter. You can find more tip kits at ReadyWisconsin http://readywisconsin.wi.gov  Check the roads and take your time. Call 511 or go to www.511wi.gov for the latest road conditions across Wisconsin. You can also go to our website for a regional travel map which covers North and South Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin. http://readywisconsin.wi.gov/511/default.asp. Make sure you plan extra time if you travel. Roads may become icy and snow packed. Also, keep at least a half tank of gas in your vehicle in case of an emergency and let friends and family know where you are traveling to and when you should arrive.  Get supplies for your home. Make sure your home emergency kit is stocked with food that can be stored and eaten without electricity, in case there is a power outage. Also, make sure you have extra water, flashlights with extra batteries and medications. For a complete list of kit items go to ReadyWisconsin http://readywisconsin.wi.gov/kit/GetKit.asp

Stay informed. ReadyWisconsin will keep you posted on any emergencies that occur during the storm. Follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/readywisconsin) or Twitter (www.twitter.com/readywisconsin) for updates.