As the chill of winter sets in, it’s time to stay cozy—and stay informed!
You may have heard terms like “wind chill watch,” “extreme cold warning” and “wind chill advisory” in the past, and wondered what the difference is between the terms.
You’re not alone – the National Weather Service was aware people found these terms confusing, and it’s simplifying warnings about cold weather to help people stay safe.
Now, you’ll hear terms similar to severe weather warnings common in the spring and summer, including:
- Extreme Cold Watch, which means you should be aware that the risk of hazardous weather is increasing, but the timing and location is uncertain.
- Cold Weather Advisory, which means you should be prepared for hazardous weather that is occurring, imminent or likely in our area.
- Extreme Cold Warning, which means you should take action because hazardous weather is occurring, imminent or likely in our area and poses a threat to life or property.
You may hear similar terms for winter storms and hard freezes.
When extreme cold sets in, it’s important to have two ways to receive weather information, like watching local weather reports on TV, having a weather app on your smartphone or keeping a weather radio on hand.
Learn more about the National Weather Service’s cold weather alerts at weather.gov.