The Argonne community can’t get complacent about weather-related slips and falls just yet. On average, there’s still another 5.5 inches of snow on tap for the Chicago area. According to the National Climatic Data Center:
- We can expect an average of 4.3 days of snowfall in March, bringing 5.6 inches.
- The season’s last snowfall typically happens in April, and brings 1.2 inches of accumulation.
March is a month of progressively warmer days, but on average there are 20 days with lows below freezing — rain or snow showers can cause very slippery conditions, especially in the morning.
During potentially slippery conditions:
- Wear shoes or boots with non-skid soles. If you wear dress shoes, carry them with you and change once you are safely indoors.
- Use main entrances and sidewalks. Salt and de-icing compounds work best in areas that are heavily used.
- Avoid walking from building to building. Reschedule meetings or teleconference.
- When entering buildings, be aware of snow stuck in the soles of your shoes and wet floors.
- When using stairs, hold onto railings to maintain balance and avoid falls.