Winter Weather Local Forecast Products (LFP's)
The following products have completed the testing phase and will be issued starting in December of 2010. These products were tested during the second half of the winter from January through March 2009 as well as the entire winter of 2010.
Snowstorm Watch
A snowstorm watch is issued when conditions are forecast to meet the criteria for more than one warning within the next 36-48 hours. Individual snow event-type watches (Heavy Snow Watch, etc) are not issued, rather they are grouped into "Snowstorm Watch". These are generally issued when the forecaster expects snow, heavy snow, or a combination or snow, sleet, ice to affect the area and meet warning or advisory criteria over the next 36-48 hours.
Snowstorm Warning
A snowstorm warning is issued when significant winter weather is expected over the next 12 to 36 hours. The snowstorm warning criteria features a winter weather event being able to have more than one predominant hazard (heavy and blowing snow, snow, ice, sleet, or a combination meeting or exceeding warning criteria for at least one of those precipitation elements. The warning criteria for these elements is the same as the NWS in Upton, NY (6 inches of snow over a forecast zone in a 12 hour period).
Heavy Snow Warning
A heavy snow warning may be issued in replacement of a Snowstorm Warning when snowfall rates of 6" in 12 hours are expected..and snow is expected to be the predominant precipitation type. These are typically issued 12 to 24 hours in advance of the snow.
Winter Storm Advisory
A winter storm advisory is the equivilant to the NWS Winter Weather Advisory. This is issued when a storm system produces any form of winter weather (snow over 2", any ice accretion or sleet accumulation) that does not meet warning criteria. Usually issued 24 to 36 hours in advance of the storm, but may be issued as the storm is occuring. This is typically issued in tangent with a snowstorm warning, but is a step below whereas the area it covers does not meet the warning criteria.
Snow Bulletin
A snow bulletin is issued when light snowfall accumulations are expected to cause at least a slight travel hazard over the next 12 hours. Generally issued for 2-4 inches of snow, and is a step below a Winter Storm Advisory.
Blizzard Advisory
A blizzard advisory is the equivilant of the NWS Blizzard Watch. It is issued when the forecaster expects blizzard conditions may occur within the next 36-48 hours.
Blizzard Alert
A blizzard alert is the equivilant to a NWS Blizzard Warning. This is issued when a forecaster expects blizzard conditions to occur within 24 to 36 hours, or when blizzard conditions are occuring.
Ice Storm Alert
Icing alerts are issued when 1/2 inch of ice accretion or greater is expected across any area in the next 12 to 24 hours.
Flood Message
Equal to a NWS Flood Watch. Issued when hydrometeorological conditions support the threat of flooding over the next 24-36 hours, but the flooding is not yet imminent.
Flood Alert
Equal to a NWS Flood Warning. Issued when the forecaster feels flooding or flood stages along larger rivers/streams may pose a significant threat to life or property.
Hazardous Weather Discussion
A general discussion issued by the forecaster that describes any specific weather hazard over the next 1 to 5 days that may affect a forecast zone.
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The following products have completed the testing phase and will be issued starting in December of 2010. These products were tested during the second half of the winter from January through March 2009 as well as the entire winter of 2010.
Snowstorm Watch
A snowstorm watch is issued when conditions are forecast to meet the criteria for more than one warning within the next 36-48 hours. Individual snow event-type watches (Heavy Snow Watch, etc) are not issued, rather they are grouped into "Snowstorm Watch". These are generally issued when the forecaster expects snow, heavy snow, or a combination or snow, sleet, ice to affect the area and meet warning or advisory criteria over the next 36-48 hours.
Snowstorm Warning
A snowstorm warning is issued when significant winter weather is expected over the next 12 to 36 hours. The snowstorm warning criteria features a winter weather event being able to have more than one predominant hazard (heavy and blowing snow, snow, ice, sleet, or a combination meeting or exceeding warning criteria for at least one of those precipitation elements. The warning criteria for these elements is the same as the NWS in Upton, NY (6 inches of snow over a forecast zone in a 12 hour period).
Heavy Snow Warning
A heavy snow warning may be issued in replacement of a Snowstorm Warning when snowfall rates of 6" in 12 hours are expected..and snow is expected to be the predominant precipitation type. These are typically issued 12 to 24 hours in advance of the snow.
Winter Storm Advisory
A winter storm advisory is the equivilant to the NWS Winter Weather Advisory. This is issued when a storm system produces any form of winter weather (snow over 2", any ice accretion or sleet accumulation) that does not meet warning criteria. Usually issued 24 to 36 hours in advance of the storm, but may be issued as the storm is occuring. This is typically issued in tangent with a snowstorm warning, but is a step below whereas the area it covers does not meet the warning criteria.
Snow Bulletin
A snow bulletin is issued when light snowfall accumulations are expected to cause at least a slight travel hazard over the next 12 hours. Generally issued for 2-4 inches of snow, and is a step below a Winter Storm Advisory.
Blizzard Advisory
A blizzard advisory is the equivilant of the NWS Blizzard Watch. It is issued when the forecaster expects blizzard conditions may occur within the next 36-48 hours.
Blizzard Alert
A blizzard alert is the equivilant to a NWS Blizzard Warning. This is issued when a forecaster expects blizzard conditions to occur within 24 to 36 hours, or when blizzard conditions are occuring.
Ice Storm Alert
Icing alerts are issued when 1/2 inch of ice accretion or greater is expected across any area in the next 12 to 24 hours.
Flood Message
Equal to a NWS Flood Watch. Issued when hydrometeorological conditions support the threat of flooding over the next 24-36 hours, but the flooding is not yet imminent.
Flood Alert
Equal to a NWS Flood Warning. Issued when the forecaster feels flooding or flood stages along larger rivers/streams may pose a significant threat to life or property.
Hazardous Weather Discussion
A general discussion issued by the forecaster that describes any specific weather hazard over the next 1 to 5 days that may affect a forecast zone.
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https://nymetrowx.blogspot.com/2009/12/watches-warnings-advisories.html?showComment=1260170079248#c41855392237622571'> December 7, 2009 at 2:14 AM
you guys do a great job. my eyes are peeled to this blog!
https://nymetrowx.blogspot.com/2009/12/watches-warnings-advisories.html?showComment=1268516647172#c3889307020412548712'> March 13, 2010 at 4:44 PM
Excellent lead time..appreciate the information on the flooding rains and winds.