Snow is a solid form of water that crystallizes in the atmosphere and falls to the earth, covering permanently or temporarily, about 23 percent of the earth’s surface. Snow is a white cloud of water vapor like cotton that freezes in the air and falls to the earth due to the air temperature in the area being below freezing. Reporting from the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), the snow cover is part of the Cryosphere from the Greek kryos which means frost in English or frost in Indonesian. Snow is solid precipitation (precipitation) in the form of ice crystals. Snow comes from clouds when the temperature is below freezing (0 degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit), when water vapor in the atmosphere condenses directly into ice without going through the liquid stage. Once an ice crystal forms, it absorbs and freezes additional moisture from the surrounding air, growing into snow crystals or snow pellets, which then fall to the earth.
If you live in an area with four seasons, winter snow can go from a beautiful sight to a deadly disaster in just a few hours. Whether you’re at home, on the road, or camping in the wild, it’s important to know how to keep yourself safe until the sun comes up again.As the temperature starts to drop, you likely find yourself mentally preparing for the possibility of snow. While getting your mind in the right place is good, it’s also vital to remember to prepare your home for snow. Here are some ways you can prepare your home for the snow.
Clean the Gutters
If you don’t regularly clean your gutters, you could find yourself in trouble during the winter months. When the gutters are full, melting snow Yorktown Heights NY and ice has nowhere to go. Because of that, the water can build up and freeze as the temperature drops, causing an ice dam. The ice dam acts as an even bigger barrier for the melting snow and ice and can damage your roofing system and allow water to get underneath it.
Experts recommend cleaning your gutters a minimum of twice a year – in the spring and the fall. However, if you live in an area with many trees that drop their leaves in the fall, you’ll want to clean the gutters more often. Even a handful of leaves can quickly clog a gutter downspout.
Seal Windows and Doors
The last thing you want during the winter months is to lose the heat in your house to the outside. However, if you aren’t checking the seals on your windows and doors, you might be doing just that. When you notice drafts or light coming through the gaps around your door, you’ll want to get weatherstripping that will help seal the holes and help keep the warmth inside.
Additionally, make sure you inspect all of your windows to check for missing or cracked caulking. When you notice any problematic areas, you’ll want to address them immediately. If sealing your windows yourself isn’t something you feel comfortable doing, you can contact a handyperson in your area to do it for you.