There are currently no warnings or advisories for this location.
Public Information Statement
Statement as of 10:42 am CST on November 10, 2009
... Today is winter weather awareness day...
The Texas and Oklahoma divisions of emergency management have joined the National Weather Service to designate today... Wednesday November 10 2009... as winter weather awareness day. The purpose of winter weather awareness day is to focus public attention on winter weather safety and preparedness. The Amarillo National Weather Service will staff a winter safety and awareness Booth at the txdot travel center at 9700 east Interstate 40 from 1 PM to 4 PM today.
Weather across the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles is known for its sharp outbreaks of extreme cold... often accompanied by ice and snow. With a moderate influence of El Nino... above normal precipitation... including above normal snowfall... is expected this season as forecast by the National Weather Service climate prediction center. The seasonal snowfall average for Amarillo is 17.9 inches.
In the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandle there have been more winter related fatalities since 1950 than the combined total from lightning... tornadoes and flash floods. Seventy percent of winter related fatalities are vehicle related... usually where winter weather directly results in a traffic accident... or from exposure to the cold once a vehicle becomes stranded. Many more indirect deaths can be attributed to traffic accidents related to winter weather but are not recorded as winter weather deaths.
Therefore... it is important to keep abreast of current forecasts and to familiarize yourself of what is expected when winter weather watches... warnings... and advisories are issued.
A Winter Storm Watch is issued when significant winter weather is expected to develop... such as blizzards... heavy snow or sleet... or damaging accumulations of ice. Winter storms watches are usually issued 12 to 36 hours in advance of the storm.
Winter weather advisories... which include freezing rain... sleet and snow are issued when winter weather is imminent... occurring or very likely to occur but is generally not life threatening and is not expected to reach warning criteria.
Winter storm warnings... ice storm warnings... and blizzard warnings are issued when severe winter weather is imminent... occurring or very likely. Winter weather conditions are expected to be significant and life threatening.
For additional winter weather information... contact your National Weather Service in Amarillo at 335 1121 or visit our homepage at www.Srh.NOAA.Gov/Ama.