November 19, 2008 by ParsonsWeather.com.

Today we will focus on winter weather travel tips and safety rules.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and other Holiday travel is coming soon. Now is a good time to focus on winter travel.

About 70 percent of deaths linked to wintry weather happen in automobiles. Here are some tips to help from being part of that woeful statistic…

Make checking the latest weather reports part of your travel plans so you can avoid storms.

Carry a NOAA Weather Radio along to tune into local weather information 24 hours a day.

Fully check and winterize your vehicle before the winter season begins.

Carry a winter storm survival kit in your car. The kit should include …

1.  Blankets or sleeping bags
2.  A flashlight with extra batteries
3.  A first aid kit
4.  A knife
5.  Some high-calorie, non-perishable food
6.  Extra clothing to keep dry
7.  A large empty can and plastic cover with tissues and paper towels for sanitary purposes
8.  A smaller can and water-proof matches to melt snow for drinking water
9.  A sack of sand or Cat litter for traction
10. A shovel
11. A windshield scraper and brush
12. A tool kit for emergency repairs
13. A Tow rope
14. Battery booster cables
15. A clean water container
16. A Compass and Road maps.

Keep your Gas Tank near full to avoid ice in The Tank and fuel lines.
Try not to travel alone. Let someone know your timetable and primary and alternate routes.

A last reminder…a Winter Storm Watch means that winter weather is possible…a Winter Storm Warning is when winter weather has begun or is about to begin. Start your preparations now for the safest winter season possible and stay tuned to the forecast.

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November 18, 2008 by ParsonsWeather.com.

Todays topic is frostbite and hypothermia.

Frostbite causes numbness and white or blue tinted skin and occurs most commonly in the fingers…toes…ears…and nose.

Hypothermia…an abnormally low body core temperature…is caused by prolonged exposure to cold. Hypothermia can occur indoors as well as outside. Body functions slow to a dangerously low level. Symptoms include slurred speech…incoherence…drowsiness…poor coordination…a slow heart beat…uncontrollable shivering or no shivering at all.

To avoid hypothermia…keep your clothes dry. Wet clothing loses all insulating value and should be changed as quickly as possible.

Mittens and a warm hat are necessities. The body loses about 50 percent of its heat through the head…so whether you are outdoors or inside an unheated home…day or night…a hat will go a long way in helping you stay warm.

Wind chill is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by the combined effects of wind and cold. As the wind increases…heat is carried away from the body…driving down the body temperature. Remember that animals are affected by wind chill as well.

Avoid overexertion…such as shoveling heavy snow or walking in deep snow. The strain from the cold and hard labor may cause a heart attack. Wear loose…light-weight…warm clothing in several layers.
Trapped air is an insulator. Layers can be removed to avoid perspiration and subsequent chill. Outer garments should be water repellent and hooded. Always cover your head…as you can lose half of your body heat through an uncovered head. Be prepared for the storm by listening to NOAA Weather Radio…commercial radio or television for the latest winter storm advisories.

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November 17, 2008 by ParsonsWeather.com.

The National Weather Service has designated the week of November 17th through 21st as winter weather awareness week in the mid south. People are asked to take some time and prepare for the upcoming winter season.

Over this week we will bring up a few winter weather issues and ways to avoid dangerous situations. During each weekday…a different winter weather topic will be covered in a public information statement…

Today…winter weather watches…and warnings
Tuesday…frostbite…and hypothermia
Wednesday…winter weather travel tips and safety rules
Thursday…winter precipitation types
Friday…winter safety for your home

Here are a few terms the National Weather Service uses with winter weather.

Winter Storm Watch…
a Winter Storm Watch means that dangerous winter weather is possible and you need to be alert to changing weather conditions and avoid unnecessary travel.

Winter Storm Warning…
a Winter Storm Warning means severe winter weather has begun or is about to begin in your area. Stay indoors during the storm.  If you must go outdoors…several layers of lightweight clothing will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Wearing gloves and a hat will prevent loss of body heat. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs. Understand The Hazards of windchill. Walk carefully on snowy…icy sidewalks.

The National Weather Service reminds you to be prepared before winter storms strike. Have extra batteries for flashlights…food and water…extra medication…first-aid supplies…and blankets for additional warmth available in case of emergencies. Be ready for winter storms by listening to NOAA Weather Radio or your local news station.

During winter storm emergencies…stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio for information and emergency instructions. Post emergency telephone numbers by the phone and keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Prepare for winter weather before it arrives.

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March 8, 2008 by ParsonsWeather.com.

The following are preliminary storm totals taken during the past 36 hours updated through 1100 am CST.

In Tennessee…

NWS Memphis Shelby County 7.2 inches
Atoka Tipton County 6.5 inches
7 WNW Munford Tipton County 6.5 inches
Union City Obion County 6.0 inches
Ellendale Shelby County 5.8 inches
6 N Parsons Decatur County 5.8 inches
4 E downtown Memphis Shelby County 5.5 inches
Memphis Airport Shelby County 5.4 inches
Bemis Madison County 5.0 inches
Cottage Grove Henry County 5.0 inches
Yorkville Gibson County 5.0 inches
Germantown Shelby County 4.9 inches
Jackson Madison County 4.5 inches
6 W Henderson Chester County 4.1 inches
6 W Clarksburg Carroll County 4.0 inches
Huntingdon Carroll County 4.0 inches
Dresden Weakley County 4.0 inches
Tiptonville Lake County 4.0 inches
Lexington Henderson County 4.0 inches
Gadsden Crockett County 4.0 inches
Brownsville Haywood County 4.0 inches
Newbern Dyer County 4.0 inches
Savannah Hardin County 4.0 inches
North Jackson Madison County 4.0 inches
Adamsville McNairy County 4.0 inches
Parsons Decatur County 5 inches
5 SSE gadsen Madison County 3.5 inches
4 W Dyersburg Dyer County 3.5 inches
4 SSW Medina Madison County 3.5 inches
4 NNW Gibson Gibson County 3.0 inches
Hickory Withe Fayette County 3.0 inches
4 W Brownsville Haywood County 3.0 inches
Lakeland Shelby County 3.0 inches
Ripley Lauderdale County 3.0 inches
Whiteville Hardeman County 3.0 inches
Paris Henry County 3.0 inches
Selmer McNairy County 3.0 inches

In Arkansas…

5 W Marianna Lee County 9.8 inches
Fisher Poinsett County 8.0 inches
Leachville Mississippi County 7.5 inches
Bay Craighead County 6.5 inches
Wynne Cross County 6.5 inches
Marvel Phillips County 6.0 inches
Forrest City St Francis County 5.5 inches
Jonesboro Craighead County 5.0 inches
2 S Lynn Lawrence County 5.0 inches
Wheatley St Francis County 5.0 inches
Turrell Crittenden County 5.0 inches
Piggott Clay County 4.3 inches
Paragould Greene County 4.0 inches
Pocahontas Randolph County 4.0 inches
Earle Crittenden County 4.0 inches
Manila Mississippi County 3.0 inches

In Missouri…

Bragg City Pemiscot County 7.0 inches
Kennett Dunklin County 6.5 inches

In Mississippi…

Tunica Tunica County 7.0 inches
Lewisburg DeSoto County 6.0 inches
3 E Southaven DeSoto County 5.5 inches
2 se Olive Branch DeSoto County 5.5 inches
Senatobia Tate County 5.0 inches
Walnut Tippah County 5.0 inches
5 E Corinth Alcorn County 4.5 inches
5 SW Olive Branch DeSoto County 4.0 inches
Marks Quitman County 4.0 inches
Falkner Tippah County 4.0 inches
Abbeville Lafayette County 4.0 inches
Burnsville Tishomingo County 3.5 inches
Iuka Tishomingo County 3.5 inches
3 ENE Bruce Calhoun County 3.0 inches
Byhalia Marshall County 3.0 inches
Lamar Benton County 3.0 inches
Charleston Tallahatchie County 3.0 inches
Pope Panola County 3.0 inches
1 N Lyon Coahoma County 3.0 inches
Corinth Alcorn County 3.0 inches
Tillatoba Yalobusha County 3.0 inches
Tupelo Airport Lee County 2.5 inches
Booneville Prentiss County 2.0 inches
Houston Chickasaw County 2.0 inches
New Albany Union County 2.0 inches
Saltillo Lee County 1.5 inches
Pontotoc Pontotoc County 1.5 inches
1 W Mantachie Itawamba County 1.3 inches
3 SW Ecru Pontotoc County 1.3 inches
Oxford Lafayette County 1.3 inches
Amory Monroe County 1.0 inches

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March 7, 2008 by ParsonsWeather.com.

Snowfall total in Parsons as of 9pm on 3/7/08 is 3.5 inches.

Snowfall total in Parsons as of 9am on 3/8/08 is 5 inches with drifts up to 7 inches.

If you would like to reports your snowfall total to post on our blog, click here.

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