The National Weather Service issues advisories, watches and warnings individually or for a combination of any of the following: snow, blowing snow, freezing rain, sleet and dangerous wind chills.
Winter Weather Advisories
Advisories are issued when inconvenient winter weather is expected that will pose some threat to life and property. Advisories are typically issued when mostly travel impacts and some school/business closures are expected, though some power outages and road closures may occur. Advisories are typically issued 12 to 48 hours before hazardous weather beings.
Winter Weather Watches
Watches are issued when life-threatening, dangerous winter weather is possible, but not yet expected. Watches are commonly issued ahead of Warnings and provide advance notice on the potential for dangerous winter weather that may result in life-threatening conditions and major disruption to daily life for days to weeks. Typical impacts may include: extremely dangerous or impossible travel, lengthy power outages, and widespread school/business/road closures. Watches are typically issued 24 to 72 hours before hazardous weather would begin.
Winter Weather Warnings
Warnings are issued when life-threatening, dangerous winter weather is imminent or expected to occur. Warnings are issued when life and property will be greatly threatened, when major disruption to daily life is expected to occur and life may not return to normal for a few days or weeks. Typical impacts expected include: extremely dangerous or impossible travel, widespread, lengthy power outages, and widespread school/business/road closures. Winter warnings include: Winter Storm Warnings, Ice Storm Warnings and Blizzard Warnings and are typically issued 12 to 48 hours before hazardous weather would begin.
|