Master Plan Nashua Fire Rescue, NH
Severe Winter Weather
Winter storms include blizzards, snowstorms, ice, sleet, freezing rain, and extremely cold temperatures. A
Nor’easter is the biggest threat for winter weather, usually from November through April, causing significant
snowstorms and mixed frozen precipitation. Strong winds are produced that cause coastal flooding and
erosion.
The impacts of winter storms are primarily measured in financial costs associated with management and
recovery from the disaster. House fires and carbon monoxide poisoning pose higher risks as people use
supplemental heating devices to combat the cold temperatures. Power outages and downed trees have a
significant impact on residents.
NOAA reports that since 1950, there have been two blizzards in Hillsborough County—in 2013 and 2015.
NOAA defines a blizzard as a storm with sustained wind or frequent gusts to 35 miles an hour or greater; and
considerable falling and/or blowing snow (i.e., reducing visibility frequently to less than a quarter-mile. There
were an additional 149 heavy snow events during that time period. Heavy snow is defined as snowfall
accumulating to 4" or more in depth in 12 hours or less; or snowfall accumulating to 6" or more in depth in 24
hours or less.
Solar Storms and Space Weather
FEMA defines space weather events as solar flares, solar energetic particles, and geomagnetic disturbances
that occur regularly and could have measurable effects on critical Earth-based infrastructure, such as the
Global Positioning System (GPS), satellite operations, communications, aviation, and the electrical power
grid. Space weather events of extreme intensity have the potential to disable large portions of the electrical
power grid, resulting in cascading failures that would affect key services such as water supply, healthcare,
and transportation.
In recognition of this threat, the President issued Executive Order (EO) 13744, “Coordinating Efforts to
Prepare the Nation for Space Weather Events.” The creation of this document, the Federal Operating
Concept for Impending Space Weather Events, was directed by section 5f of EO 13744 “to coordinate federal
assets and activities to respond to notification of, and protect against, impending space weather events.
Departments and agencies (D/As) shall develop their own operational plans that document their procedures
and responsibilities to prepare for, protect against, and mitigate the effects of impending space weather
events. Such operational plans will be developed to support the Federal operating concept, be compatible
with the National Preparedness System, and ensure continuity of D/A’s Mission Essential Functions (MEF).”*
Tropical Storms and Hurricanes
Tropical storms are extremely low-pressure areas over the ocean with a cyclonic rotation of winds. They can
be considered very strong thunderstorms. The tropical storms are called tropical storms because they usually
develop in the tropics. A tropical storm is classified according to its speed. When the wind speed is between
39 mph to 73 mph, the tropical depression developed is classified as a tropical storm. Those storms that form
in the middle latitudes are often called extratropical storms.
11 Federal Operating Concept for Impending Space Weather Events (fema. gov).
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