Severe Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain in the Central Plains to Upper Midwest; Extreme Heat in Parts of the South

Thunderstorms with severe wind gusts and hail will be possible today across parts of the central Plains, and from the Missouri Valley into the upper Mississippi Valley. Heavy rain associated with the thunderstorms may also produce flash/urban flooding. Critical fire weather conditions expected in the Great Basin and interior Northwest. Dangerous heat continues across the Southwest and Southeast. Read More >

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Watches, Warnings, & Reception

Winter Weather

Winter Weather Awareness

While the focus of this week is primarily on severe weather during the Fall season, Winter is just around the corner. Winter can bring a variety of weather conditions, including heavy snow, ice, and cold temperatures. These conditions can make driving conditions hazardous and cause power outages. If you are unprepared, you could be in a life-threatening situation.

What Is a Winter Storm?

A weather even is defined as a Winter Storm when any of the following conditions occur:

Heavy Snow - Location dependent. For all over the Louisiana parishes in the NWS Shreveport County Warning area, portions of Southern Arkansas, and all of East Texas except Red River County, 2 or more inches of snow accumulation. For McCurtain County OK, Red River County TX, and portions of Southwest Arkansas, 3 or more inches of snow accumulation. See the graphic below. You can also check out a map of the heavy snow criteria across the entire United States by clicking here.

Graphic showing Heavy snow/Winter Storm Warning criteria for the NWS Shreveport County Warning Area.

Winter Storm Warning criteria for heavy snow across the NWS Shreveport County Warning Area.

Ice Storm - Significant, hazardous, damaging, or possibly dangerous accumulations of freezing rain or freezing drizzle.
Blizzard Conditions - Sustained wind speeds or frequent gusts of 35 MPH or higher and considerable falling/blowing snow causing visibilities to frequently fall to less than one quarter of a mile for 3 hours or more.

Precipitation Threats

Cold Temperatures

There are a few different watches, warnings, and advisories that meteorologists from the National Weather Service office in Shreveport will issue depending on which type of winter weather threat is expected.

Winter Weather Advisory - Issued when a significant winter weather event is expected within the next 24 hours, but there is not expected to be a serious threat the life and property to warrant a Winter Storm Warning. Typically, this is when snow accumulations of less than 2 or 3 inches (location depedent) or freezing rain accumulations of less than 0.25 inches are expected to occur. However, if the impact to the public is expected to be higher, such as the storm arriving during a busy travel time, an advisory may be upgraded to one of the warnings products below, such as a Winter Storm Warning.

Winter Storm Warning - Issued when Winter Storm conditions (i.e., heavy snow and/or sleet accumulations of at least 0.50 inches) are expected within the next 24 hours.

Blizzard Warning - Issued when Blizzard Conditions are expected within the next 24 hours.

Ice Storm Warning - Issued when significant hazardous, damaging, or possibly dangerous accumulations of freezing rain/drizzle is expected within the next 24 hours. Typically, freezing rain accumulations are expected to be at least 0.25 inches during an Ice Storm Warning.

Winter Storm Watch/Blizzard Watch - Issued when there is a 50 percent or greater chance of Winter Storm or Blizzard conditions within the next 12 to 48 hours.

The National Weather Service in Shreveport also issues a few different advisories and warnings based on expected cold temperatures. Freeze Warning - Issued for the first freeze during the fall/winter. Occasionally issued during the early spring, especially after a long period of unusually warm weather after the growing season has started. Also issued for Hard Freeze Conditions. Cold Weather Advisory: Be Aware - Issued for dangerously cold conditions that are not expected to reach warning criteria. Be sure you and your loved ones dress appropriately and cover exposed skin when venturing outdoors. Temperature/wind chill criteria varies. Extreme Cold Watch: Be Prepared - Issued when dangerously cold conditions or wind chill values are possible, but the occurrence, locations, and/or timing is still uncertain. As with a Warning, adjust your plans to avoid being outside during the coldest parts of the day. Make sure your car has at least half a tank of gas, and update your winter survival kit. Temperature/wind chill criteria varies. Extreme Cold Warning: Take Action! - Issued when extremely dangerous cold conditions or wind chill values are expected or occurring. If you are in an area with an Extreme Cold Warning, avoid going outside. If you have to go outside, dress in layers, cover exposed skin, and make sure at least one other person knows your whereabouts. Update them when you arrive safely at your destination. Temperature/wind chill criteria varies. For Southeast Oklahoma, Southwest Arkansas, and 7 Northeast Texas counties (Red River, Bowie, Franklin, Titus, Morris, Camp, and Cass): Cold Weather Advisory: Temperature or wind chill between 1 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme Cold Warning: Temperature or wind chill of 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. For Louisiana and the remaining Texas Counties: Cold Weather Advisory: Temperature or wind chill between 6 and 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme Cold Warning: Temperature or wind chill of 5 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.

ArkLaTex Average Winter Temperatures By Month

Map Depicting the Historical Probability of a White Christmas

SHV RSS Feed

Severe Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain in the Central Plains to Upper Midwest; Extreme Heat in Parts of the South

Fall Severe Weather Awareness Week--Winter Weather