winter weather, Fort MacMurray

There are a number of winter weather terms that Fort MacMurray residents, and even visitors during the colder months, should know and understand. These terms will help you understand what type of weather to expect and how severe conditions may become. These include:

• Wind Chill- Wind chill means what it feels like outdoors in Fort MacMurray, not what the actual temperature actually is. When there is a brisk wind it can feel much colder than the actual temperature reading, and you could become cold or even suffer from hypothermia faster if your skin is exposed to the wind. This is helpful in determining the time until frostbite can occur.
• Sleet- This is rain that freezes high up in the sky, and it comes down as frozen droplets.
• Freezing Rain- This is the term for rain that will freeze when striking the ground. This creates an ice coating which can make conditions extremely slippery.
• Winter Weather Advisory- A winter weather advisory for Fort MacMurray or Alberta means that the weather may become hazardous, and that anyone who goes out may have considerable inconveniences caused by the winter weather.
• Winter Storm Watch- This means that a winter storm has a high probability of hitting the area, and this includes severe winter weather. Heavy snow, ice, sleet may hit within the next 36 hours although the timing of the storm arrival is not yet certain, and the storm may still miss the area.
• Winter Storm Warning- A winter storm warning means that the storm will hit or has already arrived, and it is expected.
• Blizzard Warning- Blizzard conditions are expected or have already arrived. Heavy snow, high winds, and ice are part of a blizzard so residents should expect these.
• Frost or Freeze Warning- Temperatures will fall below freezing, and the ground and road conditions may frost over or freeze completely.