UNDATED -- Today kicks off Winter Hazard Awareness Week and state officials want you to be prepared for the upcoming winter.

Todd Krause is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. He says pay attention to the forecast and be prepared.

Krause also says know the difference between a blizzard and a winter storm warning. A Winter Storm Warning means heavy snowfall and winds below 35-miles-an-hour. A blizzard warning means winds of greater than 35 miles-an-hour and low visibility.

Krause says windchills are another thing to pay close attention to. A windchill of 25-to-30-degrees below zero will mean exposed skin can experience frost bite within minutes.

Coming up tomorrow, we'll tell you about outdoor winter safety.

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