Winter Weather Terms

Knowing winter weather conditions can prepare you avoid potentially dangerous situations. Do you know these cold weather terms? 

• Winter Weather Advisory – a mixture of precipitation, such as snow, sleet, and freezing rain or drizzle is expected

• Snow Alerts

• Advisory – over 2 inches but not more than 6 inches expected heavy snow 
• Warning – 6 inches or more in 12 hours or less or 8 inches or more in 24 hours or less

• Winter Storm

• Watch – conditions favorable for development of hazardous weather elements, such as heavy snow and/or blizzard conditions or significant freezing rain or sleet.

•  Warning – heavy snow and some windiness are very likely, perhaps in  combination with sleet and/or freezing rain

• Blizzard Warning –winter storms with sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 mph or greater, considerable snow, with less than ¼ mile visibility. 

• Ice Storm Warning – damaging accumulations expected during freezing rain conditions, accumulations are usually ¼ inch or greater

•   Wind Chill Alerts

•  Advisory – wind chills will be -35 degrees or colder for a sustained period of time, and winds are expected to be at least 10 mph

•  Warning – Wind chills are expected to reach -50 degrees, and wind speeds are 10 mph or greater.