Blizzard warning – a blizzard warning means that there will be gusts of wind greater than thirty-five miles per hour, along with heavy snowfall and reduced visibility. The length of time for a blizzard is at least three hours. As mentioned, there are no temperature criteria. You can issue a Winter storm watch for blizzard conditions if you expect such a storm to happen within 12 to 48 hours. Lake effect snow warning – this is usually a warning used for regions where lake effect snows are possible. The expectation is of at least six inches of snow in twelve hours or less. Alternatively, it could mean eight inches of snow in twenty-four hours or less. The warning is given when this precipitation is imminent or highly likely. Snow squalls warning – this is an intense winter storm of limited duration with the expectation of at least moderate snowfall according to radar. Expect reduce visibility of less than one fourth mile, white out conditions, lightning, extreme temperature drops, and strong surface winds. The National Weather Service no longer uses sleet warnings, sleet advisories, snow advisories, blowing snow advisories, blowing and drifting snow advisories, or extreme cold watches or warnings. They have also deprecated lake effect advisories and watches as well as blizzard watches and freezing rain advisories. These have largely simplified the winter storm advisories.
TORNADO AND THUNDERSTORM ADVISORIES These are watches and warnings related to spring through fall weather and related to severe storms in the continental regions. Tornado watch – this means there are favorable conditions for the development of either severe thunderstorms or tornadoes. They are often valid for between five and eight hours. Particularly dangerous tornado watch – this indicates favorable chances for very destructive storms or tornadoes. They are commonly issued when a major tornado outbreak could happen or when there is the potential for violent category tornadoes.
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