The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for northern New York and all of Vermont from Thursday, starting at 10:00 pm into Saturday morning for potential snowfall amounts of 4 to 18 inches. This may fall within the same time that many of you are preparing to leave campus for winter break. As a reminder, University Housing does not close until Saturday, December 17 at 10:00 am. If students whose last final exam is on Thursday, December 15 need to stay an extra night (Friday) due to poor weather conditions, that will be allowed. Should the storm pass through later than expected and/or any major routes leaving Northern New York be shut down, we can also approve additional nights of housing. Please submit requests for a late checkout by completing the Vacation Housing Request Form on the Office of Residnce Life Knightlife page. If you have any questions please contact the Residence Life Office at reslife@clarkson.edu.
Please be cautious while driving to your winter break destination. Before leaving, notify others and let them know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival, and keep in mind the following winter safety driving tips:
Before You Go
- Stock your vehicle with:
- a snow shovel, broom and ice scraper;
- abrasive material (sand or kitty litter), in case your vehicle gets stuck in the snow;
- jumper cables and flashlight;
- blankets and warm clothing; and
- a cellphone and charger (if you have one), water, food, and any necessary medicine
- Make certain your tires are properly inflated and have plenty of tread, your lights work and your windshield wiper fluid reservoir is full
- Keep at least half a tank of fuel in your vehicle at all times.
Winter Driving Safety
- Drive slowly. Always adjust your speed down to account for lower traction when driving on snow or ice.
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Apply the gas slowly to regain traction and avoid skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry and take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
- Increase your following distance to five to six seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
- Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
- Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads will just make your wheels spin. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill slowly.
What to do in an EmergencyIf you are stopped or stalled in wintry weather, stay focused on yourself and your passengers, your car, and your surroundings.
- Stay with your vehicle: Your vehicle provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Do not try to walk in a severe storm.
- Be Visible: Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna of your vehicle or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible.
- Clear the Exhaust Pipe: Make sure the exhaust pipe is not clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust pipe can cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment of the vehicle while the engine is running.
- Stay Warm: Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps. Pre-pack blankets and heavy clothing to use in case of an emergency.
- Conserve Fuel: If possible, only run the engine and heater long enough to remove the chill. This will help to conserve fuel.
https://www.nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-safety#tips-for-traveling-safely