The week of October 17th through 23rd was designated as Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Colorado by Governor Bill Owens.  The four National Weather Service offices responsible for collecting weather data and issuing forecasts, outlooks, watches, warnings, and advisories for Colorado encouraged the media and public to heighten their awareness of winter weather dangers across the Centennial State.  One means to accomplish this goal was the issuance of public information statements which the media (newspapers, radio stations, television stations, etc.)can pass along to the public.  The National Weather Service's direct link to its customers, NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio, was also used in this campaign.

Here are the public information statements disseminated to the media and public:

 Introduction
 Winter Travel
 Watches, Warnings, and Advisories
 Winter Winds
 Wind Chill
 Avalanches in Colorado
 Wrap up for Winter Weather Preparedness Week

   In conjunction with Awareness Week, The Warning Coordination Meteorologist at WFO Pueblo had the opportunity to meet with  an Olympic champion  to learn of his experience of being caught out in the winter elements.  Rulon Gardner, Olympic Gold and Bronze Medalist in Greco-Roman Wrestling had a brush with death in February 2001 in his native state of Wyoming.  He ventured out alone on a snowmobile for a few hours, which turned out to be an overnight ordeal with water and below zero temperatures. 
   Rulon ended up with severe frostbite on all his toes, losing his right middle toe altogether. 
   Rulon has a positive outlook on life and his continuing career in Greco-Roman Wrestling competition worldwide.  He wants people to know what happened to him, and has graciously given his time to record public service announcements for the National Weather Service with regard to winter weather awareness.  Here is  one of the announcements, customized for Colorado, which you could hear on a radio station near you! 

Downloadable National Weather Service brochures are available, including a Winter Weather Safety brochure (by scrolling to the bottom) by clicking HERE.

The Southern Colorado Guide to Frequently Used NWS Terms is available on this web site, in the Outreach/Education section in the blue area on the left side of each page. Click on Media Guide or simply click HERE.

Have a safe and enjoyable winter season in Colorado!

Special thanks to Clear Channel Radio in Colorado Springs and to their Production Director Kevin, for providing studio time and facilities free of charge for the public service announcements.