Ohio weather is characterized by four distinct seasons and variations of temperature. Summers are typically hot and humid; winters can be very cold. Precipitation occurs year-round, and severe weather (such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, snowstorms etc.) are not uncommon. For most of the year though, Wooster has a pleasant climate.
Be Ready for Winter (Yes, There Will Be Snow)
Ohio winters can be quite challenging for students coming from warmer climates. It helps to dress for the cold! Here are a few “survival tips”:
- Bring a warm winter coat. Wearing layers of clothing is recommended for added warmth, so the coat should be big enough to allow for this.
- Wear a hat. Over half of your body heat is lost from your head.
- Wear warm gloves or mittens. Mittens are warmer than gloves (they let your fingers share their warmth with each other).
- A scarf is helpful in keeping your neck warm and can be pulled up around your face in very cold weather.
- Dress in layers (i.e. T-shirt, long sleeve shirt, sweater). For your legs, you may wish to buy a thin base layer you can wear under your pants (called long underwear, long johns, or woolens).
- Warm, waterproof boots with warm socks are vital when it snows.
- Dry skin can be a problem during the winter. Combat this with moisturizer/lotion for your skin and lip balm.
Tornadoes (They Happen Occasionally: Know What to Do)
The Weather Channel and Ready.gov can provide more information about tornadoes and being safe during a tornado.
Familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify a tornado hazard:
Tornado Watch – Tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or television for information.
Tornado Warning – A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately.
If you’re in a building
- Seek shelter in the lowest level of your home, such as a basement or storm cellar. If you don’t have a basement, go to an inner hallway, a smaller inner room or a closet.
- Keep away from all windows and glass doorways.
- If you’re in a building such as a church, hospital, school or office building, go to the innermost part of the building on the lowest floor. Do not use elevators because the power may fail, leaving you trapped.
- You can cushion yourself with a mattress, but don’t cover yourself with one. Cover your head and eyes with a blanket or jacket to protect against flying debris and broken glass. Don’t waste time moving mattresses around.
- Stay inside until you’re certain the storm has passed, as multiple tornadoes can emerge from the same storm.
- Do not leave a building to attempt to “escape” a tornado.
If you’re outside
- Try to get inside a building as quickly as possible and find a small, protected space away from windows.
- Avoid buildings with long-span roof areas such as a school gymnasium, arena or shopping mall, as these structures are usually supported only by outside walls. When hit by a tornado, buildings like these can collapse, because they cannot withstand the pressure of the storm.
- If you cannot find a place to go inside, crouch for protection next to a strong structure or lie flat in a ditch or other low-lying area. Cover your head and neck with your arms or a jacket, if you have one.