Severe weather
Dealing with extreme weather conditions
Extreme heat
Most heat disorders occur when an individual is overexposed to heat or to over-exercising based on age and physical condition.
4-H programs, activities and outings should be prepared to modify programming as needed in extreme heat.
Indoor temperature of 88 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
Outdoor heat index of 105 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
Guidelines for dealing with heat
Sign up for for emergency alerts for your area from the National Weather Service.
Provide and encourage drinking plenty of water. 4-H members may not feel thirsty, but they must drink water throughout the activity. Avoid drinks with caffeine.
Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible. Avoid dark colors, which absorb the sun’s rays.
Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
Avoid strenuous activity during the warmest part of the day.
Avoid extreme temperature changes.
Stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine if air conditioning is not available.
Circulate air if possible as it can cool the body by increasing the perspiration rate of evaporation.
Eat well-balanced, light and regular meals.
Severe thunderstorms or tornados
Learn the differences between watches and warnings and have emergency plans in place for both.
Thunderstorm or tornado watch
Know the location of storms and have a plan.
Be prepared, develop an emergency plan and communicate it to Minnesota 4-H volunteers and other adults present.
Move all 4-H members and volunteers to a safe location, as outlined in the emergency plan.
Monitor radio/television news or National Weather Service online for updates. Consider purchasing a NOAA weather radio.
Modify outdoor activities to ensure that relatively quick access to a shelter is available.
Severe thunderstorm warning
Follow all precautions described above in watches.
Designate an adult to monitor sky conditions.
Stop outdoor activities and seek shelter immediately, following the emergency plan in place.
Take a head count before moving to a safe place, after arriving at the safe place and after leaving it.
Tornado warning
Follow all precautions above in watches and thunderstorm warnings. Additionally:
In a building, move to a pre-designated shelter, such as the basement.
If no underground shelter is available, move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture.
Stay away from windows.
Do not try to outrun a tornado in your vehicle; instead, leave your vehicle immediately and move to a noticeably lower level of ground than the roadway, lie down and cover your head.
Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes and should be abandoned.
Occasionally, tornadoes develop so fast that advance warning is not possible. Stay alert for signs of an approaching tornado. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most deaths and injuries.
Learn more about tornado safety from the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma.
Winter weather
When programs meet outside, watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite.
The decision to cancel a planned activity is no simple matter. The safety and well-being of 4-H members, volunteers and Extension employees is the top priority.
4-H programs, activities and outings should be prepared to modify programming as needed in extreme cold weather.
Outdoor wind chill of 20 degrees below 0 Fahrenheit or lower.
Consider these factors when deciding whether to cancel:
The ability to safely operate vehicles (ice, snow, visibility)
Total predicted snowfall
Predicted temperature and wind chill factor
Schools are cancelled
Work with the local Extension educator to develop a cancellation plan, including how to notify 4-H members and volunteers.
Monthly Clover Update newsletter
Minnesota 4-H website
Facebook or other social media
Calls, text messages or emails via the registration list
Phone trees
E-blast messages via 4HOnline
Local radio or TV stations
Contact
Pat Morreim, program manager, morre002@umn.edu, 763-427-5428