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Severe Winter Storms <br />Severe Winter Storms: Description <br />According to the 2013 State of Texas Hazard Mitigation Plan Update, a severe <br />winter storm is defined as extreme cold and heavy concentrations of snowfall or <br />ice. <br />Severe Winter Storms: Extent Scale <br />The extent of Winter Storms can be measured by snowfall and ice accumulation via the SPIA and RSI <br />Risk Assessment <br />Index. The Sperry-Piltz Ice Accumulation Index, or SPIA Index, is an ice accumulation and damage <br />prediction index that uses an algorithm of researched parameters that, when combined with National <br />Weather Service forecast data, predicts the projected footprint, total ice accumulation, and resulting <br />potential damage from approaching ice storms. It is a tool to be used by the NWS, FEMA, as well as other <br />agencies and communities for risk management and winter weather preparedness. The SPIA Index is <br />listed below in Figure 2.2. The SPIA Index’s Index range from 0 (lowest) – 5 (most extreme event). <br />(Sperry, 2017) <br />38 <br /> <br />