Understanding Winter Weather Terms: Advisories, Warnings, Watches

What is the difference between watches, advisories and warnings? Do you understand all the winter weather terms? Sometimes understanding what the forecasters are reporting for winter weather is not as simple as you may think it is. Winter weather can be life threatening and it is very important to know exactly what to expect when the watches and warnings go into affect. Below you will see winter terms and their definitions.

Watches:

A Blizzard Watch is issued when there is a possibility of blizzard conditions. The weather forecasters are at least 50 percent confident that blizzard conditions will happen when they issue a blizzard watch.

A Winter Storm Watch isissued when there is a possibility of severe life-threatening winter weather conditions this includes, heavy snow, and heavy ice or near blizzard conditions. The weather forecasters are at least 50 percent confident that severe winter weather will happen when a watch is issued.

A Wind Chill Watch is issued when there is a potential of wind chills of -25 degrees Fahrenheit or less, these temperatures can cause rapid frostbite and increase the risk of hypothermia.

Advisories:

A Snow and Blowing Snow Advisory is issued when sustained wind or frequent gusts of 25 to 34 mph is expected that is accompanied by falling and blowing snow.

A Wind Chill Advisory is issued when wind chills of -15F to -24F are expected. Frostbite in these conditions can occur in less than 30 minutes.

A Winter Weather Advisory is issued when there will be a hazardous combination of snow, and ice of which neither meets nor exceeds warning criteria. This is issued for winter weather that will cause significant inconveniences or could be life threatening if the proper precautions are not taken.

A Snow Advisory is issued when snow of 4 to 6 inches is expected in 12 hours or less.

Warnings:

A Blizzard Warning is issued when forecasters know that blizzard conditions are imminent or expected to occur in the next 12 to 24 hours. The blizzard conditions include sustained or frequent wind gusts of or above 35 mph and there will be a considerable amount of falling, blowing and drifting of snow reducing visibilities.

A Wind Chill Warning is issued when the wind chill is expected to be -25 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Frostbite can occur in less than 10 minutes.

A Winter Storm Warning is issued when there will be a combination of heavy snow and/or ice, of which, at least one of them, exceeds or meets the warning criteria. This also means that winter weather is expected to cause life-threatening public impact with a combination of winter hazards which includes, heavy snow, ice, near blizzard like conditions, blowing and drifting snow and/or very dangerous wind chills.

A Heavy Snow Warning is issued when there is 7 inches or more of snow expected in a time period of 12 hours or less, or when 9 inches or more of snow is expected in 24 hours or less.

A Ice Storm Warning is issued when a ½ inch or more of ice accumulation which causes damage to power lines and trees, is expected