Winter weather forecasts in the near future will no longer include the familiar term “wind chill.”
The National Weather Service has made an announcement that it will no longer be issuing wind chill warnings, watches, and advisories to the general public, starting this winter.
According to meteorologist Benjamin Sheppard from the Milwaukee-Sullivan NWS office, this decision has been made in order to eliminate any confusion that may arise regarding weather warnings for the public.
In the past, weather agencies used to issue wind chill advisories and extreme cold advisories as separate warnings. Wind chill advisories were based on the “wind chill” calculation, which takes into account both the air temperature and the perceived coldness caused by wind speeds.
On the other hand, extreme cold advisories were solely based on air temperatures.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has made changes to its advisory system for cold weather. Instead of issuing separate advisories based on wind chill temperatures and air temperatures, the NWS will now only issue cold weather advisories, extreme cold watches, and extreme cold warnings.
The decision to use wind chill temperatures in-house to determine these products will ensure consistency across the board. These advisories will be issued regardless of whether the forecasted temperatures meet the wind chill threshold or the air temperature threshold for each category.
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- Cold Weather Advisory: Wind chill or temperature of -20ºF in the next 12 to 24 hours.
- Extreme Cold Watch: Wind chill or temperature of -30ºF is possible in the next 24 to 72 hours.
- Extreme Cold Warning: Wind chill or temperature of -30ºF is imminent in the next 12 to 36 hours.
According to Sheppard, the recently updated guidelines are founded on research that suggests both wind chill and extreme cold without wind have an equal impact and pose an equal level of danger. As a result, similar precautions should be taken in both scenarios.
“We found that having the two hazards in separate products simply caused confusion among the public,” he explained.
All National Weather Service (NWS) offices across the United States will no longer issue wind chill advisories. However, it is important to note that the category thresholds may vary depending on the specific region.
For instance, the thresholds mentioned above apply to the Milwaukee-Sullivan office, which serves a significant portion of southern and east-central Wisconsin.
Cold weather safety tips
Cold Weather Advisory: Be Aware. A Cold Weather Advisory is issued when seasonably cold air temperatures or wind chill values, but not extremely cold values, are expected or occurring. Be sure you and your loved ones dress appropriately and cover exposed skin when venturing outdoors.
Extreme Cold Watch: Be Prepared. An Extreme Cold Watch is issued when dangerously cold air temperatures or wind chill values are possible. As with a Warning, adjust your plans to avoid being outside during the coldest parts of the day. Make sure your car has at least half a tank of gas, and update your winter survival kit.
Extreme Cold Warning: Take Action! An Extreme Cold Warning is issued when dangerously cold air temperatures or wind chill values are expected or occurring.
If you are in an area with an Extreme Cold Warning, avoid going outside. If you have to go outside, dress in layers, cover exposed skin, and make sure at least one other person knows your whereabouts. Update them when you arrive safely at your destination.
The National Weather Service has made the decision to discontinue the issuance of wind chill warnings and advisories.
