For much of the United States, the winter season is often characterized by severe weather situations. Storms that bring snow, sleet, ice, freezing rain and blizzards are only some of the hazards that can occur due to winter weather. In an effort to help warn people about approaching bad weather, the NOAA National Weather Service has designed a number of winter weather safety alerts. However, many people don’t understand the meaning of these winter weather safety alerts, and how to prepare a safety plan for severe weather. What is the difference between a “Watch”, “Advisory” and “Warning”? What temperatures should you prepare for in the event of a “Wind Chill Warning”? Understanding these winter weather safety advisories can help you to be better prepared to protect your family’s safety in severe weather situations.
Winter Storm Warning
If your area is currently being affected by a “Winter Storm Warning”, you can expect that you will be dealing with ice and/or heavy snow that will create emergency conditions. Driving during a winter storm warning is not recommended. As a general description, this warning means that there is a confirmed storm that will most likely create severe wind chills, drifting snow and heavy precipitation. The conditions during a winter storm warning are considered to be life-threatening.
Winter Storm Watch
During a “Winter Storm Watch”, there is a chance that your area will be exposed to conditions expected during a severe winter storm. Blowing/drifting snow, severe wind chills, blizzard conditions, snow and ice are all weather conditions that characterize a winter storm. In a “Winter Storm Watch”, this means that weather forecasters are approximately 50% certain that a winter storm will affect your area.
Winter Weather Advisory
This alert is issued for a combination of heavy snow and ice that does not exceed or meet the criteria required for a “Warning” to be issued. The combination of weather conditions expected during a winter weather advisory are considered to be hazardous, and travel is not recommended without extreme caution.
Wind Chill Warning
When this alert is issued, weather experts are expecting that the wind chill will be less than -25F. In these conditions, extreme caution should be taken, since frostbite on any exposed skin may occur in ten minutes or less.
Wind Chill Watch
A wind chill watch is issued when there is a potential chance of wind chills dropping below -25F. This can cause conditions where frostbite or hypothermia occur in a relatively short time.
Heavy Snow Warning
During a heavy snow warning, weather forecasters are expecting that over 7 inches of snow will be falling within less than 12 hours. However, this warning may also refer to a weather system that will result in over nine inches of snow falling in a 24 hour period. During a heavy snow warning, chances are that the storm will primarily be characterized by snow, without freezing rain or sleet.
Blizzard Warning
A blizzard warning refers to a weather system that will result in blizzard conditions in a particular area. Visibility during a blizzard will usually be reduced to 1/4 mile or less, in addition to wind gusts sometimes exceeding 35mph. Other weather conditions that may occur ding a blizzard are heavy snow, blowing snow or drifting snow.
Blizzard Watch
During a blizzard watch, weather experts are around 50% confident that a weather system with blizzard conditions will affect a particular area. This may include heavy snow, high winds, drifting snow and reduced visibility.
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