The National Weather Service (NWS) recently announced that they will no longer issue “Wind Chill Watch” and “Wind Chill Warning” alerts starting from the 2024-2025 season. Instead, they have introduced a more precise designation for these weather conditions. Although we have experienced an unusually warm start to fall in the Tri-State area, it won’t be long before we see these alerts again.
In the southern regions, where temperatures are typically higher, the criteria for issuing warnings are naturally less severe. In order for southern states to be placed under an Extreme Cold Watch/Warning, they would need to experience conditions that feel like -30 degrees or colder.
When the temperatures plummet to -25 degrees or colder, a Cold Weather Advisory will be issued.
When it comes to severe weather, it’s important to understand the distinction between watches and warnings. As someone who has worked in radio, I can attest to the significance of this differentiation. Let’s consider the example of a severe thunderstorm:
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- A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means the conditions are right for a potentially heavy storm to occur. There’s no guarantee it will, but conditions, such as moist air, high winds, and intense cloud cover, are present enough to suggest it’s a possibility.
- A Severe Thunderstorm Warning means a heavy storm can/will occur. It is imminent, and you should plan accordingly.
Every year in the Tri-States region, we face bouts of extreme cold, whether it be due to a polar vortex or bone-chilling dry air. The National Weather Service issues these warnings to ensure that people are well-informed about the potential dangers of cold weather, including frostbite and hypothermia. Hypothermia, a condition where the body temperature drops below 95 degrees, can be a serious risk during these cold spells.