Lake Effect Snow Warning and Winter Weather Advisories in effect for southern St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties through 7 PM Friday

Lake effect snow showers will prevail through tonight, with total snow accumulations between 4 and 11 inches possible in the most persistent lake snow bands across portions of northern New York. Holiday travel be very hazardous at times, with poor visibilities in snow and blowing snow. Read More >

The following are National Weather Service Burlington criteria for issuing Watches / Warnings / Advisories:

Watches: 50% confidence of meeting Warning criteria (generally within 36-48+ hours).
Advisories and Warnings: 80% confidence in the event occurrence (generally within 24-36 hours).

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Severe
Winter
Tropical
Flood
Wind
Heat
Cold
Fire
Fog / Smoke / Pollution

Severe Thunderstorm WarningExpandCollapse

Thunderstorms with wind gusts ≥ 58 mph (50 kts) and/or hail ≥ 1-inch in diameter.

Tornado WarningExpandCollapse

Likelihood of a tornado within the given area based on radar or actual sighting; usually accompanied by conditions indicated above for "Severe Thunderstorm Warning".

Winter Storm WarningExpandCollapse

When any of the following is expected within the next 12 to 36 hours

More than one predominant hazard

Winter weather event having more than one predominant hazard {ie. heavy snow and blowing snow (below blizzard conditions), snow and ice, snow and sleet, sleet and ice, or snow, sleet and ice} meeting or exceeding warning criteria for at least one of the precipitation elements.

Snow and/or Sleet

7 inches averaged over a forecast zone
Depending on impacts, a combination of precipitation elements may be considered in issuing Winter Storm Warnings.

Blizzard WarningExpandCollapse

Sustained winds or frequent gusts ≥ 35 mph AND considerable falling and/or blowing snow frequently reducing visibility < ¼ for ≥ 3 hours.
Blizzard conditions need to be the predominant condition over a 3 hour period.

Ice Storm WarningExpandCollapse

½ inch or greater accretion of freezing rain in any forecast zone.

Winter Weather AdvisoryExpandCollapse

When any of the following is expected within the next 12 to 24 hours

More than one predominant hazard

Winter weather event having more than one predominant hazard (i.e., snow and ice, snow and sleet, or snow, ice & sleet) meeting or exceeding advisory criteria for at least one of the precipitation elements, but remaining below warning criteria.

Snow and/or Sleet

4 inches averaged over a forecast zon

Snow and Blowing Snow

Sustained or frequent gusts of 25 to 34 mph accompanied by falling and blowing snow occasionally reducing visibility to ≤ ¼ mi for < 3 hours

Blowing Snow

Widespread or localized blowing snow reducing visibility to ≤ ¼ mi with winds < 35 mph

Freezing Rain

Any accretion of freezing rain or freezing drizzle on road surfaces.

Black Ice

A Special Weather Statement will usually be issued when sufficient moisture is expected to cause a thin layer of ice on road surfaces, typically on cloudless nights ("black ice"). At forecaster discretion a formal Winter Weather Advisory may be issued instead.

Hurricane WarningExpandCollapse

Sustained winds ≥ 74 mph (≥ 64 kts) (no gust criteria) associated with a hurricane expected to affect a forecast zone within 36 hours.

Tropical Storm WarningExpandCollapse

Sustained winds 39-73 mph (34-63 kts) (no gust criteria) associated with a tropical storm expected to affect a forecast zone within 36 hours.

Extreme Wind WarningExpandCollapse

Short-fused warning for onset of extreme winds, defined as sustained at 111+ mph (equivalent to a Category 3+ hurricane).
This is typically used for the approach of the eyewall of a major landfalling hurricane.

Flash Flood WarningExpandCollapse

Rapid and extreme flow of high water into a normally dry area, or a rapid water level rise in a stream or creek above a predetermined flood level, beginning within a short time-frame from the onset of heavy rain.

A dam or levee failure, or water released from an ice jam is also considered.

Winds sustained or with frequent gusts ≥ 25 mph
Relative Humidity at or below 30% anytime during the day
Rainfall amounts for the previous 5 days less than 0.25 inches (except 3 days in pre-greenup)