ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Winter weather warnings, watches and advisories are issued by local National Weather Service offices based on conditions and impacts specific to each region.
Forecasters use different criteria depending on location. In the Northern Plains, for example, a Winter Storm Warning typically requires much heavier snowfall than in the Southeast, where smaller amounts can cause significant travel disruptions.
The alerts are intended to signal different levels of risk.
- Warnings mean hazardous winter weather is occurring or imminent and residents should take action.
- Watches indicate conditions are favorable for severe winter weather and people should be prepared.
- Advisories signal less severe conditions that still warrant caution.
The National Weather Service also uses several key terms to describe winter hazards.
- Freezing rain occurs when rain freezes upon contact with the ground, coating roads, sidewalks, trees and power lines with ice.
- Sleet forms when rain freezes into ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet can make roads slippery by causing moisture to freeze on contact.
- Wind chill describes how cold it feels when wind combines with low temperatures. Stronger winds increase the rate at which the body loses heat, raising the risk of hypothermia during prolonged exposure. Wind chill affects people and animals but not inanimate objects, which cool only to the actual air temperature, though more quickly in windy conditions.