Good afternoon! Well, the winter weather has found us! The SMSC will see less snow than originally forecasted, but if you live a little north of the Metro Area, you will still be seeing a number of inches from the first snow of the season. With this winter storm event in mind, I wanted to take the first day of Winter Weather Awareness Week to talk about winter storm watches, warnings, and advisories. The National Weather Service uses specific winter weather terms to ensure that people know what to expect in the coming days and hours . • A Winter Storm Watch means that severe winter conditions, such as heavy snow and/or ice, may affect your area, but its occurrence, location and timing are still uncertain. A winter storm watch is issued to provide 12 to 36 hours notice of the possibility of severe winter weather. A winter storm watch is intended to provide enough lead time so those who need to set plans in motion can do so. • A watch is upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning when 4 or more inches of snow or sleet is expected in the next 12 hours, or 6 or more inches in 24 hours, or 1/4 inch or more of ice accretion is expected. • Winter Weather Advisories inform you that winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences that may be hazardous. If caution is exercised, advisory situations should not become life-threatening. • A Blizzard Warning means that snow and strong winds will combine to produce a blinding snow (near zero visibility), deep drifts, and life-threatening windchill. Be sure to listen carefully to the radio, television, and NOAA Weather Radio for the latest winter storm watches, warnings, and advisories. Weather information for the Twin Cities can also be found at crh.noaa.gov/mpx/ This afternoon, the National Weather Service in Chanhassen has downgraded the winter storm warning to a winter weather advisory for the entire Twin Cities Metro Area. The heaviest snowfall is expected to remain north of the interstate 94 corridor. Freezing rain, however, has replaced the heavy snow and will continue to threaten the Twin Cities Metro, including the SMSC. Locally, accumulating ice is being forecasted for this evening before the change back over to snow bringing us 2-4 inches tonight. Take it easy during your commutes, and STAY SAFE!!
Posted on: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 22:13:26 +0000
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