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  Weathering the Winter Season
  

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  Know the Dangers of Nor’easters
  

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  Early Warning System Forecasts Deadly Mudslides
  

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  Monitoring Bacterial Contamination at Our Beaches
  

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  NOAA Raises Tsunami Awareness
  


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Weathering the Winter Season

Your Guide to Understanding Advisories, Watches and Warnings

The word winter brings many things to mind. For some, it’s bundling up to brave the cold temperatures, school snow closings, and fun-filled days of sledding. For others, it invokes treacherous commutes punctuated by blizzard conditions, slippery roads, and fender benders.  This winter, understanding the differences behind National Weather Service’s advisories, watches and warnings could save your life or someone you love by knowing the appropriate action to take.

Know the Signs of Winter Weather

An advisory is a “heads-up” that conditions are likely for dangerous weather. Advisories are issued when weather conditions will cause a significant inconvenience and, if ignored, could lead to hazardous consequences.

A watch is stronger than an advisory. It tells you that hazardous weather is likely in the next 12-48 hours. Watches are issued to give you time to prepare and plan for weather threats. When a watch is issued, it’s prudent to listen to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards and check the forecast frequently at NOAA’s National Weather Service Web site.

A warning means a threat is occurring or is imminent, and you need to take protective action.

Pay close attention to weather forecasts and listen for advisories, watches and warnings like these: 

• Winter Weather Advisory – Expect two or more of the following weather conditions: snow, freezing rain or drizzle, sleet or blowing snow. Be prepared for hazardous driving conditions.

• Winter Storm Watch – In the next 12-48 hours, severe winter weather conditions are favorable for heavy snow, blizzard conditions, freezing rain or sleet.

• Winter Storm Warning – This means that severe weather is imminent or has already begun. Expect any combination of heavy snow, freezing rain, sleet and strong winds.

• Blizzard Warning – Blizzards are the most dangerous winter storms. A blizzard is heavy snow and strong winds (35 mph or greater) that combine to produce blinding snow with near zero visibility, deep drifts, and a life-threatening wind chill. After a blizzard, it's not uncommon to hear about people found in their cars dead or dying of hypothermia. These people were either ill prepared to be out driving in a storm or simply unaware of the incoming front.

Drive Safer This Winter

“Thousands of people die every year in weather-related traffic accidents,” says John Koch, regional warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “The best way to avoid a tragedy is to be aware of weather conditions and limit travel when hazardous weather conditions exist.”

To keep safe, consider doing the following before driving in winter weather conditions, especially if the National Weather Service has issued warnings or watches in your area:

• Keep the gas tank full to keep the fuel line from freezing.
• Let someone know your destination, route, and when you expect to arrive.
• Keep a cell phone or other emergency communication device with you.
• Pack your car with thermal blankets, extra winter clothes, basic tool kit, (including a good knife and jumper cables), an ice scraper and shovel, flashlights or battery-powered lanterns with extra batteries, and high calorie, nonperishable food, and water.
• Use sand or kitty litter under your tires for extra traction, especially if you find yourself stuck in a slippery spot.

Be winter weather wise!

To learn more, visit NOAA’s Winter Weather Safety and Awareness Web page.