Winter Weather Awareness Week | Video

Henry Blakes | 10/30/2012

Snowflakes have already been flying, serving as a good reminder of what`s to come. It`s important to prepare for whatever Mother Nature sends our way. Experts say now is a good time to make sure you`re prepared for sub-zero cold and tricky travel.

"The first thing that motorists should do when conditions deteriorate is to slow down, turn on their headlights and shut off the cruise control," said Sgt. Tom Iverson with the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

Conditions were warmer and drier than usual last winter, but that doesn`t mean we should count on more of the same the next few months. The National Weather Service and other agencies are urging residents to prepare themselves in case a major snowstorm or severe cold hits the region.

"We have a lot of new people in the state. My concern is for those who moved in a year ago and somehow think what happened last winter is normal for North Dakota. It`s not. So we`re trying to reach those folks to make sure they`re not caught off guard," said JP Martin with the National Weather Service.

If you`re living in temporary housing, make sure your pipes are properly insulated. Also, it`s important to install a carbon monoxide and smoke alarm.

For more information and useful links, please visit our KFYR-TV Weather Page

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