[EAS] NWS event criteria change?

[Tim Stoffel]

Definitions and procedure manuals aside, this is not how these labels are generally used.

A "Winter weather advisory" generally means in practice we are going to have some lousy weather, but normally nothing to worry about.

A "winter storm (or blizzard) watch" means we are in for some heavier weather, certainly heavier than an advisory implies, but the tea leaves and livers the weather service are looking at don't let them know yet if this is going to be a full-blown event.

A "Winter storm (or blizzard) warning" means things are going to be real bad. The term 'warning' always carries a strong connotation of it, like "Tornado warning" (Ever hear of a "Tornado advisory"??)

The fact they list their definition for a final forecast as 'advisory/warning' makes some sense if you are looking at a weather event progress plan. It makes no sense however, on how these 'products' have been used in practice. The weather service already confuses people and cried 'wolf' too often. (Read their 'forecast discussion'. Some of the forecasters can find a weather hazard on a sunny day! (; So on paper, it makes sense. In practice, it makes confusion.

Tim Stoffel

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-----Original Message-----
From: EAS [mailto:eas-bounces at radiolists.net] On Behalf Of Herb White

An advisory denotes high probability of an event of less serious conditions than a warning event and one that can cause significant inconvenience and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.