Its Winter Weather Awareness week in Arkansas and it's time to get your cars ready for that cold weather that's coming later this week.
The temperatures were in the 70's this past weekend, and many people are thinking more about spending time out side and less about getting their vehicles ready for winter.
But the best time to start thinking about that is before the severe weather gets here.
In late November of last year, many motorists on Interstate 540 were caught off guard by the snow and ice that accumulated on the roads.
5 News Chief Meteorologist Garrett Lewis says even though the temperature says 32, the roads may not freeze over.
Still he says to stay away from bridges and overpasses that could cause trouble on the interstate. "If you're running 34 degrees, even though you can get heavy snow on the ground, you usually won't see freezing temperatures. Roads will typically freeze up at 30 degrees or below even though freezing is 32. Now bridges and overpasses are gonna freeze first, they could freeze closer to 32, especially in the higher terrain. That's why places like 1-540 tend to freeze up a lot more than Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, or even Fort Smith," said Lewis.
We asked the people at O'Reilly Auto Parts for their tips on getting a car ready for winter weather.
They said to keep an ice scraper and de-icer in the car at all times and also to make sure the antifreeze you use is mixed with 50 percent water. "At least a 50/50 mix. It's usually 50 to 70 percent antifreeze. If its straight anti-freeze that isn't good, but at least a 50/50 mix to keep your motor from freezing," said Chris Moore.
Moore also recommends a few other things to keep in your car in case you get stranded, as many drivers did last November:
A flashlight and extra batteries
Warm blankets and a change of clothes.
High calorie snacks like granola bars and bottled water
An extra cell phone charger
And a first aid kit.
One last thing to remember if the weather gets bad to stop and think if you really need to make a trip out on the roads, of if you can wait until conditions improve.
And if you must make that trip, keep your distance from other cars and avoid accelerating too quickly.
But the best time to start thinking about that is before the severe weather gets here.
In late November of last year, many motorists on Interstate 540 were caught off guard by the snow and ice that accumulated on the roads.
5 News Chief Meteorologist Garrett Lewis says even though the temperature says 32, the roads may not freeze over.
Still he says to stay away from bridges and overpasses that could cause trouble on the interstate. "If you're running 34 degrees, even though you can get heavy snow on the ground, you usually won't see freezing temperatures. Roads will typically freeze up at 30 degrees or below even though freezing is 32. Now bridges and overpasses are gonna freeze first, they could freeze closer to 32, especially in the higher terrain. That's why places like 1-540 tend to freeze up a lot more than Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, or even Fort Smith," said Lewis.
We asked the people at O'Reilly Auto Parts for their tips on getting a car ready for winter weather.
They said to keep an ice scraper and de-icer in the car at all times and also to make sure the antifreeze you use is mixed with 50 percent water. "At least a 50/50 mix. It's usually 50 to 70 percent antifreeze. If its straight anti-freeze that isn't good, but at least a 50/50 mix to keep your motor from freezing," said Chris Moore.
Moore also recommends a few other things to keep in your car in case you get stranded, as many drivers did last November:
A flashlight and extra batteries
Warm blankets and a change of clothes.
High calorie snacks like granola bars and bottled water
An extra cell phone charger
And a first aid kit.
One last thing to remember if the weather gets bad to stop and think if you really need to make a trip out on the roads, of if you can wait until conditions improve.
And if you must make that trip, keep your distance from other cars and avoid accelerating too quickly.
