Barksdale, winter wonderland Published Jan. 13, 2011 By Senior Airman Joanna M. Kresge 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Due to the intense heat of northwest Louisiana summers, many Barksdale Airmen may find it hard to believe the area is capable of producing freezing rain and even on a rare occasion, snow. In fact, Barksdale, birthplace of Air Force Global Strike Command, experienced 15 winter weather events, such as freezing rain or snow, in the past five years. Staff Sgt. Larry Woodson, 2nd Operations Support Squadron weather forecaster, discussed what causes winter precipitation. "For freezing rain, all you need are cold temperatures," he said. "There will be a warm layer of air in the lower part of the atmosphere; as the snow begins to pass through the warmer layer of air it turns to liquid, then the freezing temperatures on the ground cause it to freeze when it meets a surface. "Snow on the other hand requires 32 F or less throughout all layers in the atmosphere," he continued. During winter weather events, 2 OSS weather helps the base prepare for the imminent weather conditions. "We collaborate with the 26th Operational Weather Squadron on a freezing rain warning an hour-and-a-half prior to the event," Sergeant Woodson said. "When snow is forecasted, the criterion is 2 inches within 12 hours; although we don't issue those warnings too often because it rarely snows here. "We also participate in briefs and mission planning for all the B-52 and A-10 aircraft that are flying so they know ahead of time. We also try to give the commanders a heads up and let them know we are looking at a possibility of winter precipitation," he continued. Air Force bases that receive an average of 6 inches of snow yearly are required to have a snow and ice control plan on file. "We don't have a snow and ice plan on file here because we don't get 6 inches per year," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Stout, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron assistant NCOIC of the pavement section. "However, we do maintain specific equipment to augment that plan with sand for bridges and other high-ice areas that can cause hazardous conditions for drivers." Sergeant Stout said adding sand to high-ice areas does not necessarily make roads safe; roads are only as safe as the drivers are careful. "It's important to keep in mind ice is out there, and they need to be safe drivers because we can only increase the safety of the roads with abrasive material to help with vehicle traction. It's up to drivers to be cautious," he said. Motorists should keep the following safety tips in mind when contemplating driving during a winter weather event. *Stay home, avoid roads if possible, if not possible wait until roads have been sanded *Vehicles should be ready for winter weather and have clear headlights and good wiper blades *Turn on lights to be more visible to other drivers *Motorists should keep three times the distance between them and the vehicle in front of them as they would on a clear day *When motorists find themselves in a rear-wheel skid, they should ease off the accelerator and turn the steering wheel in the same direction of the rear wheel skid For more information about winter safety contact 2nd Bomb Wing safety at 456-2569.