National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Extreme Fire Weather Concerns for the Western U.S.; Severe Weather and Flooding Threats for the Central U.S.

Extremely critical fire weather conditions are expected to develop across the Great Basin and Southwest today, and exceptionally dry and windy conditions will promote rapid wildfire spread through the weekend. Scattered severe thunderstorms and heavy rain are possible across parts of the Ozark Plateau into lower Ohio Valley and parts of the northern Rockies into adjacent Great Plains. Read More >

 

Hot Temperatures and/or High Heat Index Values

heat index chartheat stress/illness descriptions

Heat Safety Information
The State College NWS Office will issue Advisories and Warnings under the header "PHLNPWCTP (WWUS71 KCTP)" for the following:

Extreme Heat Warning:

  Heat Index values will attain or exceed 105°F.

Extreme Heat Watch:

  Possibility that Extreme Heat Warning Criteria may be met at longer ranges (12 to 48 hrs out).

extreme heat warning mapMap of Extreme Heat Warning Criteria

Heat Advisory:

  Heat Index will be equal to or greater than 100°F, but less than 105°F.

heat advisory mapMap of Heat Advisory Threshold

  • For an outlook beyond 3-4 days, see the extended heat index guidance we get from the NWS's Weather Prediction Center (WPC):  Maximum Heat Index Outlooks 

 

 

 Cold Temperatures and/or Low Wind Chill Values

wind chill chart
Cold Weather Safety Information
The State College NWS Office will issue Advisories and Warnings under the header "PHLNPWCTP (WWUS71 KCTP)" for the following:
Either wind chill or temperatures can meet these criteria (i.e. if there is light/no wind, temperatures alone can trigger these products)

Extreme Cold Warning 

  Values of -20 F or colder along and south of I-80, and -25 F or colder for areas north of I-80

extreme cold warning/watch map
Extreme Cold Warning Map

Cold Weather Advisory

  Values of -10 F or colder along and south of I-80, and -15 F or colder for areas north of I-80

cold weather advisory map
Cold Weather Advisory Map