NWS Winter Weather Products
Anyone who has lived in the southern Great Lakes region knows that winters can be long and sometimes brutal. Many of us enjoy winter weather, but caution needs to be used when strong winter storms are forecast to affect the region. The National Weather Service issues a variety of advisories and warnings to alert the public to potentially life-threatening winter weather conditions.

A winter weather advisory is issued for an event which is expected to cause significant inconveniences to the public. A winter weather warning is issued when those conditions are expected to become life- threatening to people exposed to them. There are various advisories and warnings that are issued to let people know about the specific threat that is expected. When certain conditions are met (mentioned below) winter weather warnings are tone- alerted on NOAA Weather Radio. Winter weather advisories are not tone-alerted, but, like warnings, are put on NOAA Weather Radio when they are issued.

Winter Weather Advisories
Product Issued When
Winter Weather Advisory more than one hazard is expected (such as moderate snow and low wind chills)
Snow Advisory/Lake Effect Snow Advisory an average of 3 to 5 inches of snow accumulation is forecast
Blowing Snow Advisory 3 to 5 inches of snow accumulation is forecast and/or considerable blowing and drifting snow are expected. Road closures and poor visibilities are possible.
Freezing Rain Advisory/Freezing Drizzle Advisory light accumulation (less than 1/4 inch) is predicted and is not expected to accumulate on all surfaces
Sleet Advisory accumulation of sleet of less than half an inch is forecast
Wind Chill Advisory In Indiana and Ohio when wind is expected to be 10 mph or greater with wind chills of -20øF to -34øF. In Michigan when wind is expected to be 10 mph or greater with wind chills of -30øF to -49øF.
Frost Advisory The formation of frost is expected (without a freeze). Temperatures can be in the middle to upper 30s. Generally issued only during the growing season.
Freeze Advisory Temperatures are forecast to be less than or equal to 32øF (with or without frost). Generally issued only during the growing season.



Winter Weather Warnings
Winter weather warnings are issued for events which are expected to be life-threatening to people caught outside. A winter weather warning is tone alerted on NOAA Weather Radio only if all of the following three criteria are met: (1) the weather conditions will be life threatening, (2) the event will occur in the next 6 hours, and (3) no routine forecast will be issued prior to the event.
Product Issued When
Winter Storm Warning More than one hazard is expected (such as heavy snow and very low wind chills)
Heavy Snow Warning/Lake Effect Snow Warning Snowfall amounts of 6 inches or more in 12 hours, or 8 inches or more in 24 hours, are forecast.
Blizzard Warning sustained wind or wind gusts of at least 35 mph are expected with considerable falling and/or blowing snow. Visibilities are often less than 1/4 mile.
Ice Storm Warning Freezing rain events when significant and/or damaging ice accumulations are expected (usually accumulations of 1/4 inch or greater)
Freezing Rain/Freezing Drizzle Warning significant ice accumulations are expected on all surfaces
Sleet Warning accumulations of sleet of half an inch or greater are predicted
Wind Chill Warning In Indiana and Ohio wind is expected to be 10 mph or greater with wind chills of -35øF or below. In Michigan wind us expected to be 10 mph or greater with wind chills of -50øF or below.

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