Post by chawman on Feb 27, 2008 22:29:48 GMT -5
Weather Warning and Advisory Thresholds
The State College NWS Office will issue Advisories and Warnings for situations where the following is expected:
Thunderstorm Threats
Severe Thunderstorm RISK Terminology
(used in Hazardous Weather Outlooks)
SLIGHT RISK: Severe thunderstorms are expected to be few or isolated.
MODERATE RISK: Severe thunderstorms are expected to be more organized, numerous, or widespread.
HIGH RISK: Severe thunderstorms with the potential for tornadoes, damaging windstorms, and/or large hail are expected
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM or TORNADO WATCH Severe thunderstorms with large hail, damaging winds, and/or tornadoes are possible, but the exact time and location of storm development is still uncertain. A watch means be prepared for storms.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING A severe thunderstorm is imminent or occurring; it is either detected by weather radar or reported by storm spotters. A severe thunderstorm is one that produces winds 58 mph or stronger and/or hail 3/4 inch in diameter or larger. A warning means to take shelter.
TORNADO WARNING A tornado is imminent or occurring; it is either detected by weather radar or reported by storm spotters. A warning means to take shelter.
FLOOD WATCH Conditions are favorable for flash flooding. A watch means to get prepared for possible flooding.
FLASH FLOOD WARNING Life-threatening flooding is imminent or occurring; it is either detected by weather radar, indicated by stream gauges, or reported by storm spotters. A flash flood is a flood that occurs very quickly; it is caused by heavy rainfall over a short period of time or from a dam break. A warning means to leave low-lying or flood prone areas.
Winter Precipitation
Statements for these hazards will be issued under the header "PHLWSWCTP (WWUS41 KCTP)."
For Snow alone:
Heavy Snow Warning: An average of 6" or more of snowfall in 12 hrs.,
or An average of 8" or more of snowfall in 24 hrs.
Snow Advisory: An average of 3" or more of snowfall in 12 hrs.
Winter Storm Watch: Possibility that Warning Criteria may be met at longer ranges (24 to 48 hrs out).
For Lake Effect Snows (ONLY FOR Northwestern PA):
Lake Effect Snow Warning: An average of 6" or more in 12 hrs.
Lake Effect Snow Advisory: An average of 3" to 5" in 12 hrs.
Lake Effect Snow Watch: Possibility that Warning Criteria may be met at longer ranges (24 to 48 hrs out).
For Ice alone:
Ice Storm Warning: 1/4" or more of ice accumulation from freezing rain
Freezing Rain Advisory: <1/4" of ice accumulation
Combinations of Winter Weather Hazards:
Blizzard Warning: Sustained or frequent gusts to 35 mph or greater AND considerable falling and/or blowing snow. These conditions must last for AT LEAST 3 hrs. (Usually associated w/6+ inches of snowfall in central PA)
Winter Storm Warning: either 6 inches or more of snow w/some ice accum. or 1/4" ice + any snow/sleet.
Winter Weather Advisory: A bothersome - but not damaging - combination of snow, sleet, and/or freezing rain/drizzle.
Winter Storm Watch: Possibility that Snow, Ice Storm, or Winter Storm Warning Criteria may be met at longer ranges (24 to 48 hrs out).
Blizzard Watch: Possibility that Blizzard Warning Criteria may be met at longer ranges (24 to 48 hrs out).
Cold Wind Chills:
Wind Chill Warning: wind chills values of minus 25°F or lower.
Wind Chill Advisory: wind chill values of minus 15°F to minus 24°F.
Non Precipitation Phenomena Warning Terminology
The State College NWS Office will issue Advisories and Warnings under the header "PHLNPWCTP (WWUS71 KCTP)" for situations where the following non-precipitation phenomena are expected :
Winds NOT associated with a specific Thunderstorm:
Wind Advisory: sustained winds 31 to 39 mph, for better than 1 hour - and/or wind gusts 46 to 57 mph for any duration.
High Wind Warning: sustained winds 40 mph or greater, for better than 1 hour - and/or wind gusts 58 mph or greater, for any duration.
High Wind Watch: Possibility that High Wind Warning Criteria may be met at longer ranges (24 to 48 hrs out).
Widespread Frosts/Freezes, after the beginning (and before the end) of the "growing season":
The BEGINNING of the growing season is set by the average date of the last freeze in spring, and normally happens during very late April to mid May in Central PA.
The NWS will then issue Frost Advisories and Freeze Warnings when appropriate, until the end of the growing season, according to the following rules:
Frost Advisory: a widespread frost, which typically with mainly clear skies and light winds, and low temperatures near or slightly above freezing (33°F to 36°F).
Freeze Warning: low temperatures at or below 32°F.
The END of the growing season occurs when most of the county/NWS zone has had it's first freeze in the autumn (1/2 or more of the zone got to 32°F or below), and usually occurs in late Sep to late Oct in Central PA. As you might expect, the growing season is much shorter in the Northern Mountains than in the Lower Susquehanna Valley.
Freeze Watch: Possibility that Freeze Warning Criteria may be met at longer ranges (24 to 48 hrs out).
For High Heat Indicies:
Heat Advisory: Issued when the Heat Index will be equal to or greater than 100°F, but less than 105°F.
Excessive Heat Warning: Heat indicies will attain or exceed 105°F.
Excessive Heat Watch: Possibility that Excessive Heat Warning Criteria may be met at longer ranges (12 to 48 hrs out).
For Widespread Dense Fog:
Dense Fog Advisory: widespread areas of fog reducing the visibility to less than 1/4 mile.
Fire Weather Products
The State College NWS Office will issue these two Fire Weather related products under the header "PHLRFWCTP (WWUS81 KCTP)" for situations when the following criteria are met:
Criteria for rapid initiation and spread of wildfires in PA:
Winds must be sustained at 15 mph (13 knots) for two hours or more, and
Minimum Relative Humidities (which usually occur in the afternoon) must be 30 percent or less, and
10-hour Fuel Moistures must be 15 percent or less (and expected to remain there for two or more days).
Fire Weather Watch: All three of the above criteria are expected to develop simultaneously within 12-24 hours.
Red Flag Warning: All three of the above criteria are being met currently, or are imminent.
The State College NWS Office will issue Advisories and Warnings for situations where the following is expected:
Thunderstorm Threats
Severe Thunderstorm RISK Terminology
(used in Hazardous Weather Outlooks)
SLIGHT RISK: Severe thunderstorms are expected to be few or isolated.
MODERATE RISK: Severe thunderstorms are expected to be more organized, numerous, or widespread.
HIGH RISK: Severe thunderstorms with the potential for tornadoes, damaging windstorms, and/or large hail are expected
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM or TORNADO WATCH Severe thunderstorms with large hail, damaging winds, and/or tornadoes are possible, but the exact time and location of storm development is still uncertain. A watch means be prepared for storms.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING A severe thunderstorm is imminent or occurring; it is either detected by weather radar or reported by storm spotters. A severe thunderstorm is one that produces winds 58 mph or stronger and/or hail 3/4 inch in diameter or larger. A warning means to take shelter.
TORNADO WARNING A tornado is imminent or occurring; it is either detected by weather radar or reported by storm spotters. A warning means to take shelter.
FLOOD WATCH Conditions are favorable for flash flooding. A watch means to get prepared for possible flooding.
FLASH FLOOD WARNING Life-threatening flooding is imminent or occurring; it is either detected by weather radar, indicated by stream gauges, or reported by storm spotters. A flash flood is a flood that occurs very quickly; it is caused by heavy rainfall over a short period of time or from a dam break. A warning means to leave low-lying or flood prone areas.
Winter Precipitation
Statements for these hazards will be issued under the header "PHLWSWCTP (WWUS41 KCTP)."
For Snow alone:
Heavy Snow Warning: An average of 6" or more of snowfall in 12 hrs.,
or An average of 8" or more of snowfall in 24 hrs.
Snow Advisory: An average of 3" or more of snowfall in 12 hrs.
Winter Storm Watch: Possibility that Warning Criteria may be met at longer ranges (24 to 48 hrs out).
For Lake Effect Snows (ONLY FOR Northwestern PA):
Lake Effect Snow Warning: An average of 6" or more in 12 hrs.
Lake Effect Snow Advisory: An average of 3" to 5" in 12 hrs.
Lake Effect Snow Watch: Possibility that Warning Criteria may be met at longer ranges (24 to 48 hrs out).
For Ice alone:
Ice Storm Warning: 1/4" or more of ice accumulation from freezing rain
Freezing Rain Advisory: <1/4" of ice accumulation
Combinations of Winter Weather Hazards:
Blizzard Warning: Sustained or frequent gusts to 35 mph or greater AND considerable falling and/or blowing snow. These conditions must last for AT LEAST 3 hrs. (Usually associated w/6+ inches of snowfall in central PA)
Winter Storm Warning: either 6 inches or more of snow w/some ice accum. or 1/4" ice + any snow/sleet.
Winter Weather Advisory: A bothersome - but not damaging - combination of snow, sleet, and/or freezing rain/drizzle.
Winter Storm Watch: Possibility that Snow, Ice Storm, or Winter Storm Warning Criteria may be met at longer ranges (24 to 48 hrs out).
Blizzard Watch: Possibility that Blizzard Warning Criteria may be met at longer ranges (24 to 48 hrs out).
Cold Wind Chills:
Wind Chill Warning: wind chills values of minus 25°F or lower.
Wind Chill Advisory: wind chill values of minus 15°F to minus 24°F.
Non Precipitation Phenomena Warning Terminology
The State College NWS Office will issue Advisories and Warnings under the header "PHLNPWCTP (WWUS71 KCTP)" for situations where the following non-precipitation phenomena are expected :
Winds NOT associated with a specific Thunderstorm:
Wind Advisory: sustained winds 31 to 39 mph, for better than 1 hour - and/or wind gusts 46 to 57 mph for any duration.
High Wind Warning: sustained winds 40 mph or greater, for better than 1 hour - and/or wind gusts 58 mph or greater, for any duration.
High Wind Watch: Possibility that High Wind Warning Criteria may be met at longer ranges (24 to 48 hrs out).
Widespread Frosts/Freezes, after the beginning (and before the end) of the "growing season":
The BEGINNING of the growing season is set by the average date of the last freeze in spring, and normally happens during very late April to mid May in Central PA.
The NWS will then issue Frost Advisories and Freeze Warnings when appropriate, until the end of the growing season, according to the following rules:
Frost Advisory: a widespread frost, which typically with mainly clear skies and light winds, and low temperatures near or slightly above freezing (33°F to 36°F).
Freeze Warning: low temperatures at or below 32°F.
The END of the growing season occurs when most of the county/NWS zone has had it's first freeze in the autumn (1/2 or more of the zone got to 32°F or below), and usually occurs in late Sep to late Oct in Central PA. As you might expect, the growing season is much shorter in the Northern Mountains than in the Lower Susquehanna Valley.
Freeze Watch: Possibility that Freeze Warning Criteria may be met at longer ranges (24 to 48 hrs out).
For High Heat Indicies:
Heat Advisory: Issued when the Heat Index will be equal to or greater than 100°F, but less than 105°F.
Excessive Heat Warning: Heat indicies will attain or exceed 105°F.
Excessive Heat Watch: Possibility that Excessive Heat Warning Criteria may be met at longer ranges (12 to 48 hrs out).
For Widespread Dense Fog:
Dense Fog Advisory: widespread areas of fog reducing the visibility to less than 1/4 mile.
Fire Weather Products
The State College NWS Office will issue these two Fire Weather related products under the header "PHLRFWCTP (WWUS81 KCTP)" for situations when the following criteria are met:
Criteria for rapid initiation and spread of wildfires in PA:
Winds must be sustained at 15 mph (13 knots) for two hours or more, and
Minimum Relative Humidities (which usually occur in the afternoon) must be 30 percent or less, and
10-hour Fuel Moistures must be 15 percent or less (and expected to remain there for two or more days).
Fire Weather Watch: All three of the above criteria are expected to develop simultaneously within 12-24 hours.
Red Flag Warning: All three of the above criteria are being met currently, or are imminent.