The dip in the mercury signals the fact that winter is coming to the Ozarks.
And winters in southwest Missouri can bring severe storms.

The Missouri Emergency Management Agency set aside today as Winter Weather Awareness Day.

Missouri has experienced three severe winter storms since January 2008.
Those storms caused millions of dollars in damage and cut power to hundreds of thousands of homes.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services says there were 26 cold-weather related deaths in the winter of 2008 to 2009.

To make sure you're ready for winter the state Emergency Management Agency suggests :
*Creating a family emergency plan and an emergency kit for your home.
 *It advises people to find an alternate source of fuel such as a generator.
 *And make sure you have an emergency winter car kit.

For more Winter Weather Awareness tools, visit our Weather page