NWS Dallas/Fort Worth Public/Media Guide - Winter Storm Definitions Frame

<body bgcolor="#ffffff"> <table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" border="0"> <tr bgcolor="#cccccc"> <td width="10"> </td> <td align="left"><span class="white">National Weather Service</span></td> <td align="right"><span class="white">Dallas/Fort Worth</span></td> <td width="10"> </td> </tr> </table> <div align="center"><table width="90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tr><td><br> <h3>Winter Weather Definitions</h3> <dl><dt><b>Outlook</b></dt> <dd>An outlook is used to indicate that a hazardous weather or hydrologic event may develop. It is intended to provide information to those who need considerable lead time to prepare for the event.</dd></dl> <dl><dt><b>Watch</b></dt> <dd>A watch is used when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location, and/or timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time so those who need to set their plans in motion can do so.</dd></dl> <dl><dt><b>Warning/Advisory</b></dt> <dd>These products are issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, is imminent, or has a very high probability of occurrence. A warning is used for conditions posing a threat to life or property. Advisories are for less serious conditions that cause significant inconvenience and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.</dd></dl> <dl><dt><b>Advisory vs. Warning Criteria - North Central Texas</b></dt> <dd><b>Snowfall</b> <ul> <li><b>Heavy Snow WARNING</b> - Snowfall accumulating to 4+"/12 hours or 6+"/24 hours.</li> <li><b>Snow ADVISORY</b> - Total snowfall accumulation 1-3"/12 hours.</li> </ul> <br> <b>Freezing Rain/Drizzle or Sleet</b> <ul> <li><b>Ice Storm WARNING</b> - ¼+" ice accumulation from Rain/Drizzle or ½+" ice from sleet.</li> <li><b>Freezing Rain/Drizzle/Sleet ADVISORY</b> - <¼" ice accumulation from Rain/Drizzle or <½" from sleet.</li> </ul> <br> <b>Wind and Visibility</b> <ul> <li><b>Blizzard WARNING</b> - Sustained wind or frequent gusts to 35 MPH or greater, <b>and</b> visibility frequently reduced <¼ mile due to falling and/or blowing snow.</li> <li><b>Blowing Snow ADVISORY</b> - Sustained wind or frequent gusts less than 35 MPH, <b>and</b> visibility reduced <7 miles due to falling and/or blowing snow.</li> </ul> <br> <b>One or more of the above</b> <ul> <li><b>Winter Storm WARNING</b> - Any combination of the above <b>warning criteria</b>.</li> <li><b>Winter Weather ADVISORY</b> - Any combination of the above <b>advisory criteria</b>.</li> </ul> <br> <b>Wind and Temperature</b> <ul> <li><b>WARNING</b> - None issued.</li> <li><b>Wind Chill ADVISORY</b> - Wind chill temperature -20&#176F or lower.</li> </ul> <br> <b>Frost/Freeze</b> <ul> <li><b>Freeze WARNING</b> - Issued for the <b>first freeze</b> in the fall, for <b>late freezes</b> in the spring or for a freeze that is expected to occur after a prolonged warm spell.</li> <li><b>ADVISORY</b> - None issued.</li> </ul></dl> <br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">NWS Dallas/Fort Worth: <a href="../fwd/">Home</a> | <a href="../fwd/forecast.htm">Forecasts</a> | <a href="../fwd/currentwx.html">Current Weather</a> | <a href="http://weather.noaa.gov/radar/national.html">Radar</a> | <a href="http://204.185.136.10/awc/aviation_weather_center.html">Aviation</a> | <a href="../fwd/skywarn.html">Preparedness</a><br> <a href="../fwd/lakes.htm">Hydrology & River Info</a> | <a href="../fwd/radio.html">NOAA Weather Radio</a> | <a href="../fwd/ntexclima.html">Climat Data</a> </td> </tr> </table> <br><br> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" width="100%" border="0" bgcolor="#000000"> <tr align="center"> <td width="2%"> </td> <td align="left" width="30%"><b><span class="white">Winter Weather Definitions</span></b></td> <td width="5%"><a onmouseover="act('fb')" onmouseout="inact('fb')" href="winterf.htm"><img src="../images/fboff.gif" alt="Winter Weather Introduction" width="23" height="23" border="0" name="fb"></a></td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td width="5%"><img src="../images/g.gif" alt="blank" width="23" height="23" border="0"></td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td width="6%"><a onmouseover="act('co')" onmouseout="inact('co')" href="../contents.htm"><img src="../images/cooff.gif" alt="Table of Contents" width="23" height="23" border="0" name="co"></a></td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td width="5%"><a onmouseover="act('f')" onmouseout="inact('f')" href="wsoutlookf.htm"><img src="../images/foff.gif" alt="Winter Weather Outlook" width="23" height="23" border="0" name="f"></a></td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td width="5%"><a onmouseover="act('ff')" onmouseout="inact('ff')" href="../npw/npwf.htm"><img src="../images/ffoff.gif" alt="Non-Precipitation Weather Introduction" width="23" height="23" border="0" name="ff"></a></td> <td align="right" width="30%"><b><span class="white">Winter Weather Products</span></b></td> <td width="2%"> </td> </tr> </table> </div> </body>