Winter storm warning

A public alert issued when hazardous winter weather is expected to meet defined severity criteria in a specified area and time period.

Winter storm watch: A public alert that hazardous winter weather is possible within a specified area and time period. A watch signals potential danger before confidence or timing supports a warning.
Winter storm: A storm that produces substantial wintry precipitation, strong winds, or hazardous cold conditions. The alert names a forecast storm expected to meet hazardous winter-weather criteria.
Winter weather preparedness: Planning and actions that reduce harm from snow, ice, extreme cold, and winter storms. A warning can prompt preparations before conditions become hazardous.
Blizzard warning: An alert for blizzard conditions expected or occurring in a specified area. It identifies a wind-and-visibility hazard rather than relying on winter precipitation totals.
Winter weather advisory: A public alert for winter weather expected to cause significant inconvenience but generally fall below warning criteria. It covers impactful conditions that do not reach this warning's severity threshold.
Snowfall intensity: The rate at which snow accumulates over a period of time. Rapid accumulation can make travel dangerous even before large totals accumulate.
Road safety: Practices and measures intended to prevent crashes and injuries on roads. Snow and ice warnings can support decisions to delay or avoid travel.
Ice storm warning: An alert for damaging ice accumulation from freezing rain expected or occurring in a specified area. It names a specific ice hazard that may otherwise fall under broader winter storm messaging.
Winter storm warning criteria: The meteorological thresholds used by an issuing authority to determine when winter storm warnings are warranted. These thresholds define which forecast conditions trigger the alert.
Blizzard: A winter storm with strong sustained winds or frequent gusts, falling or blowing snow, and severely reduced visibility for a prolonged period. A blizzard warning is a separate alert defined by wind and visibility, not snowfall alone.

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