Image courtesy of NWS

Winter Weather Awareness Day in Iowa is Thursday and it’s a way for Iowans to re-adjust themselves to get ready for winter driving.

National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist Chad Hahn says as the colder months settle in, it’s only a matter of time until there’s accumulated snowfall on the ground.

“It’s been six, eight months since folks have driven in any sort of slick conditions, so it’s a good reminder to get on people’s radars that the transition is coming, to think through some of the things that would be helpful for both at home and when you’re traveling. Some of the different changes that we have to make in our day-to-day lives as we look ahead to the seasonal change.”  

Hahn points out for people to dig out their winter emergency vehicle kits and update items that are included such as a flashlight, blanket, snow shovel, bottled water, among other things.  He adds that on average more than 5,000 people are killed on area highways due to weather-related vehicle crashes. Hahn notes that being weather aware and the ability to change driving habits as the winter weather changes is a must for motorists.