Winter Watches / Warnings

Winter Storm Watch
Conditions are favorable for hazardous winter weather conditions including heavy snow, blizzard conditions, or significant accumulations of freezing rain or sleet in the next 12 to 48 hours. It may also include wind chills if they are experiencing the above listed events.

Winter Storm Warning
Any one or a combination of the the following:

  • 6 inches of snow or more in 12 hours or 8 inches of snow or more in 24 hours.
  • Sustained winds of less than 34 mph causing blowing snow (with or without snowfall occurring) reducing visibility to more than 1/4 mile for 3 hours or more.
  • Ice accumulations of 1/4 inch or more.
  • Wind Chill of ≤ -40 degrees with winds of ≥ 10 mph occurring with any of the above criteria.

Blizzard Watch
Conditions are favorable for blizzard conditions in the next 12 to 48 hours.

Blizzard Warning
Sustained or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more, frequent visibility of ≤ ¼ mile, falling and/or blowing snow for 3 hours or more.

Wind Chill Watch
Conditions are favorable for dangerous wind chills in the next 12 to 48 hours.

Wind Chill Warning
Wind chills of ≤ -40 degrees with winds of ≥ 10 mph, no precipitation occurring