Issued when conditions are favorable for the development of thunderstorms which contain winds of at least 58 mph and/or hail 1 inch or larger.
Tornado Watch [TO.A]
Issued when conditions are favorable for thunderstorms to produce tornadoes.
Warnings
Severe Thunderstorm Warning [SV.W]
Thunderstorm winds of 58 mph or greater and/or hail 1 inch in diameter or greater.
Tornado Warning [TO.W]
A tornado is spotted or detected on radar.
Advisories
Significant Weather Advisory [SPS]
Gusty winds less than 58 mph and/or small hail less than 1 inch below Severe Thunderstorm Warning thresholds. These storms may strengthen to prompt the issuance of a Severe Thunderstorm Warning.
Potential for flash flooding due to non-convective causes (e.g., dam or levee failure or ice jam), or the possibility of flash flooding and debris flows caused by excessive rainfall on burn scars or in debris flow- and landslide-prone areas.
Flood Watch:[FA.A]
Conditions are favorable for flooding caused by excessive rainfall and runoff. As of 2021, this combines what was formerly (convective) Flash Flood Watches and Areal Flood Watches.
River Flood Watch:[FL.A]
Issued for river forecast points when river flooding is possible, but flooding is not expected to begin within the next 24 hours.
Warnings
Flash Flood Warning:[FF.W]
Short duration (usually less than six hours), flash flooding resulting from storms with rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour or greater. Also issued when a dam has failed or when a dam failure is imminent.
(Areal) Flood Warning:[FA.W]
Long duration (slow to evolve), flooding resulting from steady stratiform rain with rates typically less than 1 inch per hour. Most common during long duration spring rains resulting in widespread flooding.
River Flood Warning:[FL.W]
River flooding is occurring or is forecast for a point. Normally issued when flooding is forecast within 24 hours based on accumulated rainfall.
Advisories
Flood Advisory:[FA.Y]
Localized flooding resulting from heavy rain. Water may start to threaten homes and businesses, and minor flooding of roads is possible
Potential for a blizzard, heavy snowfall, or ice storm within the next 18 to 48 hours. Issued when there is a 50% confidence or greater of at least 6 inches of snow and/or a ¼ inch of ice.
Wind Chill Watch:[WC.A]
Wind chill -25ºF or colder with wind speeds 5 mph or greater for at least 3 hours within the next 18 to 48 hours.
Warnings
Winter Storm Warning:[WS.W]
Snow accumulations 6 inches or greater; Freezing rain accumulations ¼ inch or greater.
Blizzard Warning:[BZ.W]
Sustained winds 35 mph or greater AND falling/blowing snow reducing visibility to less than ¼ mile for at least three hours.
Ice Storm Warning:[IS.W]
Freezing rain accumulations ¼ inch or greater resulting in significant, widespread power outages, tree damage, and dangerous travel.
Lake Effect Snow Warning:[LE.W]
Lake effect snow accumulations 6 inches or greater in 12 hours (8 inches or more in 24 hours). This is issued only for northernmost portions of our area.
Snow Squall Warning:[SQ.W]
A short-duration (less than 1 hour), polygon-based warning issued when strong snow squalls and flash freezing will cause dangerous and life-threatening conditions, espectially for roadways. Usually issued when ground/road temperatures are sub-freezing and visibility is less than ¼ mile.
Wind Chill Warning:[WC.W]
Wind chill of -25ºF or colder with wind speeds 5 mph or greater for at least 3 hours.
Advisories
Winter Weather Advisory:[WS.Y]
Snow accumulations of 3 inches, any freezing rain accumulations less than ¼ inch, or a high impact snow/ice event.
Wind Chill Advisory:[WC.Y]
Wind chill -10ºF to -25ºF for at least 3 hours.
⚠️ Practice Heat Safety when outdoors! ⚠️
🔗 For Heat Safety tips and resources, visit heat.gov.
Watches
High Wind Watch:[HW.A]
Conditions are favorable for development of sustained winds of 40 mph or greater and/or gusts of 58 mph or greater within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Freeze Watch:[FZ.A]
Potential for the first freeze of the fall season or for a late spring freeze within the next 18 to 24 hours. Product is discontinued for the season following the first fall "killing" freeze.
Excessive Heat Watch:[HT.A]
Potential for heat index values of 105ºF or hotter within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Warnings
High Wind Warning:[HW.W]
Non-convective sustained wind speeds 40 mph and greater and/or wind gusts 58 mph and greater.
Freeze Warning:[FZ.W]
When temperatures will be at or below 32ºF over a large area for a significant time during the growing season.
Excessive Heat Warning:[HT.W]
Heat Index of 105ºF or greater.
Red Flag/ Fire Weather Warning:[FW.W]
Dangerous fire behavior expected within the next 12-24 hours based on weather conditions and dry fuels.
Fog reducing visibilities to a ¼ mile (0.4 km) or less for at least 3 hours.
*Please note: winter and heat related criteria are based on local climatology. Therefore, NWS Pittsburgh area thresholds for heat and winter related products may differ slightly from neighboring NWS offices' criteria.
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