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Winter Safety
- Winter Storm Watch - Issued for the possibility of severe life-threatening winter weather conditions including: heavy snow, heavy ice and/or near blizzard conditions. Forecasters are typically 50% confident that severe winter weather will materialize when a watch is issued.
- Blizzard Watch - Issued for the possibility of blizzard conditions. Forecasters are typically 50% confident that blizzard conditions will materialize when a blizzard watch is issued.
- Lake Effect Snow Watch - Issued for the potential for heavy lake effect snow.
- Wind Chill Watch - Issued for the potential of wind chills of -25F or less, which can cause rapid frostbite and increase the risk of hypothermia.
- Winter Storm Warning - Issued for a combination of heavy snow and/or ice, of which, at least one exceeds or meets warning criteria. Winter weather is expected to cause life-threatening public impact for a combination of winter hazards including heavy snow, ice, near blizzard conditions, blowing and drifting snow and/or dangerous wind chills.
- Heavy Snow Warning - Issued when 7 inches or more of snow is expected in 12 hours or less, or 9 inches or more is expected in 24 hours or less. Heavy Snow Warnings are issued when there is a high degree of confidence that the entire event will be snow.
- Ice Storm Warning - Issued for a ½ inch or more of ice accumulation which causes damage to power lines and trees. Ice Storm Warnings are issued when there is a high degree of confidence that the entire event is expected to be ice.
- Blizzard Warning - Issued when blizzard conditions are imminent or expected in the next 12 to 24 hours. Blizzard conditions include sustained or frequent gusts =/> 35 mph AND considerable falling, blowing and drifting of snow reducing visibilities frequently 1/4 mile.
- Lake Effect Snow Warning - Issued for 7 inches or more of lake effect snow.
- Wind Chill Warning - Issued when the wind chill is expected to be -25F or less. Frostbite can occur in less than 10 minutes.
- Winter Weather Advisory - Issued for a hazardous combination of snow, and ice of which neither meets or exceeds warning criteria. Issued for winter weather that will cause significant inconveniences or could be life-threatening if the proper precautions are not taken.
- Snow Advisory - Issued when an average of 4 to 6 inches of snow is expected in 12 hours or less. Snow advisories are issued when there is a high degree of confidence that the entire event will be snow.
- Freezing Rain Advisory - Any accumulation of freezing rain that can make roads slippery. Freezing rain advisories will only be issued when there is a high degree of confidence that the entire event will be freezing rain only.
- Snow and Blowing Snow Advisory - Sustained wind or frequent gusts of 25 to 34 mph accompanied by falling and blowing snow, occasionally reducing visibility to a 1/4 mile or less for three hours or more.
- Blowing Snow Advisory - Widespread or localized blowing snow reducing visibilities to a 1/4 or less with winds less than 35 mph.
- Lake Effect Snow Advisory - Issued for an average of 4 to 6 inches of lake effect snow.
- Wind Chill Advisory - Issued for wind chills of -15F to -24F. Frostbite can occur in less than 30 minutes.