3/13/2018 Watch vs. warning vs. advisory - what's the difference?

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Winter Storm Warning/Advisory in effect 

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Watch vs. warning vs. advisory - what's the difference?

by Wayne Mahar
Tuesday, March 17th 2009

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3/13/2018 Watch vs. warning vs. advisory - what's the difference? | WSTM

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:59:47 GMT 

—  Severe Thunderstorm

Warning, Tornado Watch,

Lake
Effect Snow Warning, Wind Advisory,
FACEBOOK TWITTER
Freezing Rain Advisory|
MAIL
we TMve heardTRENDING
all of these
before and will hear them again. So which of these should have us taking life saving
measures and which should we all but ignore? Well, a lot of the time it comes down to
whether it is an Advisory, a Watch or a Warning.

No matter what the actual weather you are dealing is, here is the basic rule of thumb:

WATCH essentially means a chance this condition will happen and usually covers a large
geographical area for a lengthy time period.

WARNING means the said weather is already occurring or is likely to occur and to take
proper protective measures. Warnings are usually issued for much smaller geographical
areas and usually for shorter more de nite time periods.

ADVISORIES are sort of in between a WATCH and WARNING. The expected weather
condition has a pretty good chance of occurring, even a likely chance of occurring, but
typically an advisory is used for less severe type of weather conditions. A Wind Advisory
might be issued or a Freezing Rain Advisory issued instead of a High Wind Warning or an
ice Storm Warning.

Yes, it can get confusing, even to us as meteorologists. There are a multitude of advisories,
watches and warnings, all of which were developed by the good folks at the National
Weather Service. Below I am listing mainly winter terms courtesy of the National Weather
Service. It is likely you won TMt remember what each means. If so, simply try to keep in
mind what we already talked about. The difference between Advisory, Watch and Warning,

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and be sure to stay tuned to WSTM Channel 3, WSTQ CW6, NBC WeatherPlus on digital
cable channel 133 and to keep checking here at CNYcentral.com daily and more often
when bad weather hits.

1) WINTER STORM OUTLOOK

This is a statement issued when there is a chance of a major winter storms from 3 to 5 days
in the future. This is meant to assist people with their long range plans. However, since the
outlook is issued so far in advance, the accuracy of the prediction may be limited.

2) WINTER STORM WATCH

This means there may be hazardous winter weather due to various elements such as heavy
snow, sleet, or ice accumulation from freezing rain. In our region, heavy snow means 7
inches or more of accumulation in 24 hours or less. A "WATCH" is a long range prediction.
They are issued at least 12 hours before the hazardous winter weather is expected to
begin. When the storm becomes imminent, or has a high probability of occurring, the watch
will be upgraded to a "WARNING".

3) WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW

Seven inches or more of snow will fall within a 24 hour period.

4) WINTER STORM WARNING FOR SEVERE ICING

Heavy accumulation of ice due to freezing rain will down trees and power lines. Electricity,
or telephone communications, may be out for a long period of time. Roads may become

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impassable for most vehicles.

5) BLIZZARD WARNING

This is issued for a combination of strong winds averaging or frequently gusting to, or
above, 35 miles an hour and very low visibility due to blowing or falling snow. These are the
most dangerous winter storms and can be especially severe when combined with
temperatures below 10 degrees.

6) WINTER STORM WARNING

This is issued when a dangerous combination of heavy snow, with sleet and/or freezing rain,
will occur or has a high probability of occurring within the next 12 hours.

7) HIGH WIND WARNING

This means the expected winds will average 40 miles an hour or more for at least 1 hour or
winds gusts will be greater than 58 miles an hour. Trees and power lines can be blown
down. A High Wind Warning may be preceded by a HIGH WIND WATCH if the strong
winds are not expected to occur for at least 12 hours.

8) WIND CHILL WARNING

This means life threatening cold with wind chill temperatures computed to be -40 degrees
or less for at least 3 hours. Exposure to this combination of strong winds and low
temperatures without protective clothing will quickly lead to frostbite and/or hypothermia.
Longer exposures can be fatal.

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9) WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW

This is issued for snowfall greater than 4 (but less than 7) inches in a 24 hour period. The
snowfall is usually expected to begin within the next 12 hours.

10) BLOWING SNOW ADVISORY

This is issued when the visibility will be signi cantly reduced, or when the roads become
snow covered over a large area.

11) WIND CHILL ADVISORY

This is issued for cold temperatures and winds, with wind chill temperatures computed to
be -25 degrees or less for at least 3 hours. Exposure to this combination of strong winds
and low temperatures without protective clothing can lead to frostbite and/or
hypothermia, Prolonged exposure may be fatal.

12) WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY

This is issued for a combination of snow, sleet, and/or freezing rain. Advisories, in general,
are issued for weather conditions that are expected to cause signi cant inconveniences
and may be hazardous, These situations are normally not life threatening if caution is
exercised.

13) WIND ADVISORY

This is issued for average wind speeds between 31 and 39 miles an hour, or for frequent
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wind gusts between 46 and 57 miles an hour.

THERE ARE OTHER WINTER WEATHER HAZARDS UNIQUE TO SPECIFIC PORTIONS

OF OUR REGION :

14) LAKE EFFECT SNOW WATCH

A Lake Effect Snow Watch is issued when there is a possibility of heavy lake effect snow
(accumulating 7 inches of more within a 12 hour period). Lake effect snow usually occurs in
narrow bands over limited areas. The watch is issued at least 12 hours before the snow is
expected to begin, however its occurrence, location, and/or timing is still uncertain.

15) LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING

This is issued when heavy lake effect snow is occurring, is imminent, or has a very high

probability of occurring within the next 12 hours. The snow is expected to accumulate at
least 7 inches with strong winds producing much high drifts. This is similar to a Winter
Storm Warning for Heavy Snow, except Great Lakes induced squalls/showers occur in
narrow bands and over limited areas. Lake effect snow squalls/showers can occur quite
suddenly and cause blizzard-like conditions.

16) LAKE EFFECT SNOW ADVISORY

A Lake Effect Snow Advisory is issued for Great Lakes induced snowfall in western and
central New York totaling between 4 and 7 inches in a 12 hour period. Blowing and drifting
snow is also common in relatively limited areas and in narrow bands.

hi i i ll bli h d i h 2009
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3/13/2018 Watch vs. warning vs. advisory - what's the difference? | WSTM

This story was originally published in March 2009.

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