Watch Product Name |
Description |
Blizzard Watch |
Conditions are favorable for (i.e., there is the potential for) a blizzard event to meet or exceed Blizzard Warning criteria |
Lake Effect Snow Watch |
Conditions are favorable for (i.e., there is the potential for) a lake effect snow event to meet or exceed local Lake Effect Snow Warning criteria |
Wind Chill Watch |
Conditions are favorable for (i.e., there is the potential for) wind chill temperatures to meet or exceed local Wind Chill Warning criteria |
Winter Storm Watch |
Conditions are favorable for (i.e., there is the potential for) a winter storm event (Heavy Sleet, Heavy Snow, Ice Storm, Heavy Snow and Blowing Snow or a combination of events) to meet or exceed local Winter Storm Warning criteria. |
Warning Product Name |
Description |
Blizzard Warning |
Sustained wind or frequent gusts greater than or equal to 35 mph accompanied by falling and/or blowing snow, frequently reducing visibility to less than 1/4 mile for three hours or more. |
Lake Effect Snow Warning |
Widespread or localized lake induced snow squalls or heavy showers which produce snowfall accumulation meeting or exceeding locally defined warning criteria. Lake Effect Snow usually develops in narrow bands and impacts a limited area within a zone(s). |
Ice Storm Warning |
Ice accumulation meeting or exceeding locally defined warning criteria. Typical value is 1/4 inch or more. |
Wind Chill Warning |
Wind chill temperatures reaching or exceeding locally defined warning criteria (typical value is -18oF or colder). |
Winter Storm Warning |
- Snow, ice, or sleet meeting or exceeding locally defined 12 and/or 24 hour warning criteria
- Combination of snow, ice, or sleet and blowing snow with at least one of the precipitation elements meeting or exceeding locally defined 12 and/or 24 hour warning criteria.
|
Extreme Cold Warning
(NPW Product) |
Operational in Alaska only. When forecast to occur for at least three consecutive days: Shelter temperature of -50oF or colder and air temperature remains below -40oF up to the 700-mb level.
|
Advisory Product Name |
Description |
Freezing Rain Advisory |
Light ice accumulation (freezing rain and/or freezing drizzle) meeting or exceeding locally defined advisory criteria, but remaining below warning criteria. |
Lake Effect Snow Advisory |
Widespread or localized lake effect snowfall accumulation (and blowing snow as appropriate) reaching or exceeding locally defined advisory criteria, but remaining below warning criteria. |
Wind Chill Advisory |
Wind chill temperatures reaching or exceeding locally defined advisory criteria, but remaining below warning criteria. |
Winter Weather Advisory |
Winter weather event having one or more hazards (i.e., snow, snow and blowing snow, snow and ice, snow and sleet, or snow, ice and sleet) meeting or exceeding locally defined 12 and/or 24 hour advisory criteria for at least one of the precipitation elements, but remaining below warning criteria. |