The National Weather Service has been working tirelessly on simplifying and optimizing the way that hazards are communicated to the public. The current system of watches, warnings, advisories, and statements can, understandably, be confusing and easily misinterpreted. With that said the NWS has announced it's latest changes to a few "winter products" that went into effect today.
Simplification of Weather Alerts Related To Life/Safety/Infrastructure Impacts Due To Cold Temperatures:
Wind Chill Watches and Extreme Cold Watches will be consolidated and will now simply be known as Extreme Cold Watches.
This new type of watch will be issued when temperatures and/or wind chills COULD reach dangerous levels within the next 12 to 48 hours.
Wind Chill Warnings and Extreme Cold Warnings will be consolidated and will now simply be known as Extreme Cold Warnings.
This new type of warning will be issued when temperatures and/or wind chills WILL reach dangerous levels for a minimum of 3 hours.
Wind Chill Advisories will be replaced with a new product known as a Cold Weather Advisory.
This new type of Advisory will be issued when wind chills are expected to reach values of -15°F to -24°F.
Simplification of Weather Alerts Related To Potential Agricultural Resources Due To Unseasonably Cold Temperatures:
Hard Freeze Watches and Freeze Watches will be consolidated and will now simply be known as Freeze Watches.
This new type of watch will be issued during the growing season when there is a potential for widespread freezing temperatures in a large area or when isolated freezing temperatures may reach as low as 28°F within the next 24–36 hours.
Hard Freeze Warnings and Freeze Warnings will be consolidated and will now simply be known as Freeze Warnings.
This new type of warning will be issued during the growing season when temperatures will drop below freezing over a widespread area or when isolated freezing temperatures will drop below 28°F within the next 12 hours.
Frost Advisories remain unchanged.
Frost Advisories are issued during the growing season when temperatures are expected to drop between 33°F-38°F and other weather conditions are favorable for the development of frost on vegetation and agricultural resources.
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