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Winter Terms
With Old Man Winter just around the corner, the National Weather Service urges residents to keep abreast of local forecasts and warnings and familiarize themselves with key weather terminology.
Types of Percipitation
Blowing Snow is wind driven snow that reduces visibility and causes significant drifting. Blowing snow may be snow that is falling and/or loose snow on the ground picked up by the wind.
Freezing Rain is rain that falls onto a surface with a temperature below freezing. This causes it to freeze to surfaces, such as trees, cars, and roads, forming a coating or glaze of ice. Even small accumulations of ice can cause a significant hazard.
Sleet entails raindrops that freeze into ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet usually bounces when hitting a surface and does not stick to objects. However, it can accumulate like snow and cause a hazard to motorists.
Snow Flurries entails light snow falling for short duration's. No accumulation or light dusting is all that is expected.
Snow Showers entail snow falling at varying intensities for brief periods of time. Some accumulation is possible.
Snow Squalls entail brief, intense snow showers accompanied by strong, gusty winds. Accumulation may be significant. Snow squalls are best known in the Great Lakes region.
Types of Weather Advisories / Warnings
A Dense Fog Advisory is issued when fog will reduce visibility to 1/8 mile or less over a widespread area.
A Lake Effect Snow Warning is issued when lake effect snow is expected to occur. A Lake Effect Snow Advisory also cautions for the possibility of snow.
A Wind Chill Advisory is issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to be between 20 below and 34 degrees below zero.
A Wind Chill Warning is issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to be less than 34 degrees below zero.
Types Winter Weather Advisories / Warnings
- Blizzard Warning
- Winter Storm Outlook
- Winter Storm Warning
- Winter Storm Watch
- Winter Weather Advisory
A Blizzard Warning is issued for sustained or gusty winds of 35 mph or more, and falling or blowing snow creating visibility at or below 1/4 mile; these conditions should persist for at least three hours.
A Winter Storm Outlook is issued prior to a Winter Storm Watch. The Outlook is given when forecasters believe winter storm conditions are possible and are usually issued 48 to 60 hours in advance of a winter storm.
A Winter Storm Warning is issued when a combination of heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is expected. Winter Storm Warnings are usually issued six to 24 hours before the event is expected to begin.
A Winter Storm Watch alerts the public to the possibility of a blizzard, heavy snow, freezing rain, or heavy sleet. Winter Storm Watches are usually issued 12 to 36 hours before the beginning of a Winter Storm.
A Winter Weather Advisory is issued for accumulations of snow, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and sleet, which will cause significant inconvenience and moderately dangerous conditions.