NWS Jackson, KY Warning & Advisory Criteria

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

• Thunderstorm wind gusts of 58 mph or greater,
• AND/OR hail measuring 1" in diameter or larger.

Tornado Warning

• Tornado observed or indicated on radar.

Special Weather Statement

• Thunderstorm wind gusts of 40 to 57 mph,
• AND/OR hail less than 1" in diameter,
• AND/OR frequent to continuous lightning,
• AND/OR funnel clouds not expected to become a tornado threat.

See NWSI 10-511 WFO Severe Weather Products Specification for additional information.

Flash Flood Warning

• Life or property-threatening, short-term flooding is imminent or occurring.  This can include flooding due to heavy rainfall or due to a dam or levee break.

Flood Warning

• Flooding due to potentially damaging river level rises,
• OR overland flooding that is expected to persist for many hours.

Flood Advisory

• Nuissance flooding including river/stream flooding and/or ponding of water in a geographic area that warrants notification of the public but less urgent than a warning.

Special Weather Statement

• Heavy rainfall that is not expected to cause hazardous travel conditions but is not expected to cause flooding.

See NWSI 10-922 WFO Hydrologic Products Specification for additional information.

Blizzard Warning

• Sustained wind or frequent gusts of 35 mph or higher,
• AND visibility less than 1/4 mile in snow and/or blowing snow for 3 hours or longer.

Ice Storm Warning

• Damaging ice accumulations of 1/4" or more.

Winter Storm Warning

• Snowfall of 4" or more in 12 hours or 6" or more in 24 hours,
• OR sleet accumulation of 1/2" or more in 24 hours.

Winter Weather Advisory

• Snowfall of at least 1" but less than 4" in a 12 hour period,
• AND/OR visibility reduced to 1/4 mile or less in blowing snow,
• AND/OR sleet accumulation of less than 1/2".

Freezing Rain Advisory

• Ice accumulations of less than 1/4".

Wind Chill Warning

• Wind chills of 25 below or colder are expected. In most cases a minimum wind speed of 10 mph should be occurring or forecast before a warning is issued.

Wind Chill Advisory

• Wind chills of 10 below to 24 below are expected. In most cases a minimum wind speed of 10 mph or more should be occurring or forecast before an advisory is issued.

Special Weather Statement

• Black ice,
• OR short-duration heavy snow bands.

See NWSI 10-513 WFO Winter Weather Products Specifications for additional information.

High Wind Warning

• Sustained non-thunderstorm wind speeds of at least 40 mph for an hour or more,
• OR non-thunderstorm wind gusts of at least 58 mph regardless of duration.

Wind Advisory

• Sustained non-thunderstorm wind speeds between 30 and 39 mph for at least one hour,
• OR non-thunderstorm wind gusts of 40 to 57 mph for any duration.

Lake Wind Advisory

• Issued when sustained non-thunderstorm wind speeds reach 20 to 29 mph for at least one hour,
• OR non-thunderstorm wind gusts reach between 35 to 39 mph.

Freeze Warning

• Widespread temperatures are forecast to be 30ºF or below for 2 hours or more during the growing season.  The beginning of the spring frost/freeze season and ending of the fall frost/freeze season is determined in conjunction with the University of Kentucky Agricultural Weather Center.

Frost Advisory

• Widespread frost during the growing season.  The beginning of the spring frost/freeze season and ending of the fall frost/freeze season is determined in conjunction with the University of Kentucky Agricultural Weather Center.

Excessive Heat Warning

• Issued when the heat index is expected to reach around 110ºF or higher,
• AND the minimum heat index will remain around 75ºF or higher during a 48 hour period.
• A warning would also be appropriate if heat advisory criteria are expected to be reached for 4 consecutive days.

Heat Advisory

• Issued for heat index of around 105ºF

Dense Fog Advisory

• Widespread visibility 1/4 mile or less due to dense fog.

Dense Smoke Advisory

• Widespread visibility 1/4 mile or less due to dense smoke.

Dust Storm Warning

• Widespread visibility 1/4 mile or less due to blowing dust.

Blowing Dust Advisory

• Widespread visibility of between 1/4 mile and 1 mile.

Special Weather Statement

• Heat indices or wind chill values near "advisory" level for an hour or two,
• OR local areas of dense fog, dense smoke or other hazards that are below advisory criteria.

See NWSI 10-515 WFO Non-Precipitation Weather Products Specification for additional information.

Red Flag Warning

• Sustained 20-foot wind speeds of 15 mph or greater,
• AND minimum relative humidity of 25% or less,
• AND 10-hour fuel moisture values of 8% or less.

See NWSI 10-401 Fire Weather Services Product Specification for additional information.