Prepare to weather the cold.

Even with daily temperatures still creeping up into the 50s, we all know that eventually the bottom will drop out. This week is Winter Weather Awareness Week, an annual event designed "to help Minnesota residents minimize risks and mitigate the hazards of winter," sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, in collaboration with the National Weather Service and other state, federal and non-profit agencies. The purpose is "to educate, inform, remind, and reinforce the behaviors that lead to a warm, safe, and enjoyable winter season" — before Old Man Winter settles in.

There is a wealth of information out there to help you prepare yourself and your family for another cold Minnesota winter.
• The NOAA website (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has winter safety information for your home, your car, and yourself. There are also links to specific safety reports for each day of "Winter Hazard Awareness Week," including tips for monitoring indoor air quality and fire safety, winter driving tips, and an explanation of winter weather terms.
• The State of Minnesota offers lots of safety advice, including a Winter Survival Tips brochure that can be downloaded and printed.

Any time you experience a winter storm, you're invited to take a post-storm survey designed by St. Cloud State University meteorology student, Matt Tarandsen. "The objective of the survey is to provide insight into the way people deal with hazardous winter weather. This information is important to the weather forecasting community to improve their communications to the public."

Enjoy all that Minnesota's beautiful winters have to offer — but stay warm and safe. For more information, contact your county emergency management department.