Spring Valley, Minnesota

... Winter weather awareness week in Minnesota and Wisconsin...

The National Weather Service in La Crosse has done local research on
how different types of winter weather impact the number of traffic
accidents in the La Crosse area. Accident numbers were gathered
between 2000 and 2007 in the County and city of La Crosse... and then
compared to actual snowfall and temperature trends during that same
period.

To no surprise... the number of traffic accidents did increase on
days when there was precipitation. But there was noticeable jumps in
accident numbers at 3 inches of snow... and then at 5 to 6 inches.
These values align well with our advisory and warning criteria.

Heavy snowfalls over 6 inches did not seem to increase the accident
numbers as much... but they were still relatively high compared to
dry days.

Light snowfalls... an inch or less... did not seem to have a big
impact except on days when air temperatures were very cold...
generally in the single digits to around zero degrees.

Heavy rainfall events also had an impact on accident numbers...
with dramatic increases when over an inch of rain was reported.

The bottom line for winter travel is to use caution when
accumulating snow is falling. Allow extra travel time and recognize
that the chances of being involved in a traffic accident are much
higher during inclement weather. Be alert for rapidly changing Road
conditions... even during very cold spells when ice could quickly
form or reform near sunset.

For this type of research or other winter weather awareness
information check the La Crosse National Weather Service web site at
weather.Gov/LaCrosse.