Winter Weather

BLIZZARD WARNING - issued by your local NWS Forecast Office when snow and strong winds will combine to produce blinding snow (visibility near zero / whiteouts) and deep snow drifts.

WINTER STORM WATCH - issued by your local NWS Forecast Office when severe winter conditions (heavy snow and/or significant ice accumulations) are possible within the next day or two.

WINTER STORM WARNING - issued by your local NWS Forecast Office when severe winter conditions are expected.

Heavy Snow: 7+ inches in 12 hours or 9+ inches in 24 hours

Ice Storm: 1/2 inch or more

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY - issued by your local NWS Forecast Office when winter conditions (snow, sleet and/or freezing rain/ice) are expected to cause significant inconvenience and may be hazardous.

Snow and or Sleet: 4-6 inches

Freezing Rain & Drizzle: any accretion of ice on roads but less than a 1/2 inch

WINTRY MIX  - a mixture of snow, sleet and/or freezing rain.

LAKE EFFECT SNOW ADVISORY - issued by your local NWS Forecast Office when lake induced snows of 4+ inches are expected.

LAKE EFFECT SNOW WATCH - issued by your local NWS Forecast Office when lake induced snows of 7+ inches are possible within the next day or two.

LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING - issued by your local NWS Forecast Office when lake induced snows of 7+ inches are expected. 

WIND CHILL what the temperature feels like on human based on both air temperature and wind speed. 

WIND CHILL ADVISORY - issued by your local NWS Forecast Office when potentially dangerous wind chill readings are expected.

15 to 24 degrees below zero: Berkshire, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Litchfield & Ulster counties

20 to 29 degrees below zero:Albany, Bennington, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schoharie, Schenectady, Washington, Warren & Windham counties

WIND CHILL WATCH - issued by your local NWS Forecast Office when life-threatening wind chill readings are possible.
 

Winter Weather for Kids

Local Definitions / Preparedness Page