Heavy snow warnings, blowing snow advisories, and such

[Mike M]

Who here thinks the NWS should bring back the winter weather warnings they dropped after 2007-08? This includes Heavy Snow Warnings, Snow Advisories, Blowing Snow Advisories, etc.

I really think they should, because they are more specific and give people a better idea of what to expect. A winter storm warning is too generalized and could mean anything, like snow, sleet, freezing rain, or ice. Blowing snow advisories should especially be brought back as you can experience blowing snow even when not a winter storm is present. I know sometimes you can see a little bit of ice during a snow storm, but most of the time, when the NWS calls for just snow, you get just snow most of the time (at least during the storm).

I'd like to hear your thoughts on this...

[Charismatic Applesauce]

I don't remember these being used, but it sounds like a good idea.

[TWCmatthew]

I remember snow/heavy snow/blowing snow advisories being issued in my area, up until 2008. I wondered where they went. But yes, the NWS should bring back those alerts because they are much more detailed than Winter Storm Warning or Blizzard Warning. In fact, a few counties not too far from me a few weeks ago were put under a blizzard warning, which really should have been Snow and Blowing Snow advisories. A blizzard warning makes people think that they'll see a foot of snow being blown around by hurricane force winds, however the realistic alert- Snow and Blowing Snow advisory just tells people to use extra caution on roads, not hype a "blizzard."

So, definately.

[phw115wvwx]

People got confused when there were multiple advisories or warnings put out during times when a mixture of things were happening.  So, I believe things were changed to make it simpler on the public by having less headlines out there.  Furthermore, it streamlines the process for forecasters as they can put several items into one advisory or warning.  I'm afraid you won't see these products come back unless another change is made.

[TWCToday]

One gripe I have regarding warnings/advisories is for rip current threats. Usually a rip current threat results in a Coastal Flood Statement to be issued. It can be very confusing seeing that all the time for the average person. I know they just recently started beta testing a Rip Current Advisory this year at a couple select offices. I hope more adopt it

[phw115wvwx]

I know that I'm bumping an old topic back to life here, but I literally just began my Winter Weather training today.  This topic was the very first lesson!   The reality is that those products are officially dead and will never return as the NWS received overwhelmingly positive responses to this move.  If you want to learn more about why this move was made and what the NWS is now allowed to issue, here's the official training video I watched today:  http://www.wdtb.noaa.gov/courses/winterawoc/IC2/lesson1/player.html

This presentation uses Adobe Flash, and it may take a little while to load on slower internet speeds as it's 22 minutes long.  Hope it helps you all as I took the test on this lesson and passed it several hours ago!  You can tell that I'm still learning new things about the NWS everyday.

[TWCCraig]

They should bring back the Blowing Snow Adv.

[Mr. Rainman]

I agree with NWS reasoning here. Having all those different advisories can cause a forecasting nightmare at times, and it could and did cause serious warning relay problems with emergency officials and the media. Having the wording "Winter Storm Warning" and then specifically stating the hazard in question is much easier for NWS employees and local media alike.

[toxictwister00]

I remember back in January 2008 being under a Snow Advisory (first time I had ever heard of this) and being somewhat confused what the criteria was. Was it similar to a Winter Weather Advisory for us? I assumed it was because we only picked up like 1-2 inches from that storm at that time.

[Mr. Rainman]

I remember back in January 2008 being under a Snow Advisory (first time I had ever heard of this) and being somewhat confused what the criteria was. Was it similar to a Winter Weather Advisory for us? I assumed it was because we only picked up like 1-2 inches from that storm at that time.

Most likely because of a small snowfall total. Before the switch of advisories, there was a Heavy Snow Advisory, which was likely for larger snow accumulations.

Today, a Winter Weather Advisory just means winter weather conditions, whether it be icing, snow, or freezing rain, meet advisory criteria, but not warning criteria. So, you could have had an Icing Warning back then and today's Winter Weather Advisory could mean the same thing. They merged a ton of things into that single product. 

[toxictwister00]

I remember back in January 2008 being under a Snow Advisory (first time I had ever heard of this) and being somewhat confused what the criteria was. Was it similar to a Winter Weather Advisory for us? I assumed it was because we only picked up like 1-2 inches from that storm at that time.

Most likely because of a small snowfall total. Before the switch of advisories, there was a Heavy Snow Advisory, which was likely for larger snow accumulations.

Today, a Winter Weather Advisory just means winter weather conditions, whether it be icing, snow, or freezing rain, meet advisory criteria, but not warning criteria. So, you could have had an Icing Warning back then and today's Winter Weather Advisory could mean the same thing. They merged a ton of things into that single product. 

I guess so, that was actually a downgrade from the Heavy Snow Warning (first time I had ever heard of that also) that was issued the evening prior to the snow coming.

[Mr. Rainman]

Another change in winter weather advisories. Don't know if this is with our office or if it's a change across all offices, but the Wind Chill Warning has been replaced with the Extreme Cold Warning. An explanation of this change from NWS Grand Forks:

Some information concerning the use of Extreme Cold Warnings and Wind Chills.... The Wind Chills formula was modified in 2001 based ibn research from Canadian and U.S. researchers on the affect of cold on the human body. These are the wind chills used today. Thus cannot compare wind chills today to those of pre-2001 as they are on totally different scales. Until a couple of years ago, NWS used 10 mph wind speed as the cutoff on when to issue wind chills advisories or warnings. The last two years it was reduced to 5 mph. Problem is what about the times when 3-4 mph wind at -28F produces a wind chill near -40F. Using a 5 mph rule....no adv/warning is issued.

Thus the new Extreme Cold Warning product came into play which takes into account both extreme wind chills (when there is wind) and times when there is extremely low temperature and no wind. Both are dangerous when -35F or below. NWS offices in our area will be issuing these warnings for -35F wind chills (regardless of wind) or if calm when the actual temp is -35F or lower. The forecaster can issue the warning for -30F to -34F at his/her discretion.