Surviving the unpredictable fall weather

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Brian "Mayday" Mahoney
  • 319th Air Base Wing chief of safety
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Enjoying the outdoors is one of my favorite things, especially in the fall and winter. It is a time for great beauty and quiet, tranquil meditation amidst beautiful prairie landscapes.

However, it can also be a traumatic experience if you do not plan properly. Local area weather can be very unpredictable and many outdoor enthusiasts have experienced near-death situations as a result.

I remember my grandfather sharing one surprise storm he was caught in while duck hunting. The storm was named the "Armistice Day Blizzard," and it is a perfect example of the dangers of transitional fall weather.

On Nov. 11, 1940 (Armistice Day, now called Veteran's Day), residents were beaming with joy as the morning was filled with unseasonably high temperatures that had climbed to more than 60 degrees in the tri-state area.

Then a drastic, deadly change occurred due to a low-pressure system. Dense humidity from the Gulf of Mexico spread northward into the Midwest. The system was on a collision course with an intense, cold arctic air front. In just a matter of a few hours, temperatures dropped, winds began to gust, and rain turned into sleet which then turned into snow.

The result was a deadly blizzard lasting overnight and into the next day. Amazingly, the 60 degree weather was swiftly converted into snowfalls of up to 27 inches, nearly 80 mph winds, 20-foot snowdrifts, and temperatures lingering just above zero degrees.

Normal transportation and communication links were completely crippled. Most importantly, emergency services were rendered incapable, or extremely limited, to provide support to thousands of storm victims.

In all, 145 people from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan lost their lives due to the storm. The primary reason for many of the deaths was the inability for weather forecasters to predict the severity of the oncoming storm.

The active outdoor enthusiasts were some of the worst affected. For example, hundreds of duck hunters, dressed for modest temperatures, were in the field, on the rivers, and surrounding ponds enjoying phenomenal fall hunting conditions when the storm hit with no warning.

Along the Mississippi River, several waterfowlers died as they took cover on small islands. To their surprise, strong winds generated waves in excess of five feet and the islands were overcome. Many hunters died while trying to swim to shore, while others were stranded and died of hyperthermia as evening temperatures dipped well below freezing. Sadly, 49 duck hunters lost their lives during the storm while simply trying to enjoy the outdoors.

It is easy to sit back and think "Yeah, well that was 71 years ago and I would know better in the 21st century since we have great weather forecasters, equipment, and alerting systems. We can get accurate-as-can-be forecasts anytime we want prior to going outdoors."

But you have to ask yourself, and be honest, a few questions. Do you really check the weather every time prior to going outdoors? Do you actually pack a survival kit when you go hunting? Does your vehicle always have a winter survival kit in it? Are you truly prepared for bad weather on every trip you make to town, Fargo, Bismarck, or the Twin Cities? Or do you simply think, "I will be alright, I have a cell phone and gas, I will just call for help."

Here is the key to survival in a cold weather climate. Be prepared and prepare for the worst.

Don't be afraid to give up a couple square feet of space in your vehicle to ensure you will survive. Build and bring a survival kit when venturing into the woods, prairie, or just going for a long run on a country road. Put a survival kit in your snowmobile; a very common mistake.

Most importantly, be conservative and heed weather warnings so you and your loved ones can share the love and laughter of life again.

Remember -- safety is no accident!