Blanchard, Iowa

... Winter weather awareness day in Iowa...

The National Weather Service in conjunction with the Iowa Homeland
security and emergency management agency has declared November 12...
2009 as winter weather awareness day in Iowa.

Each year... winter returns to Nebraska and can produce snow storms...
blizzards... ice storms and periods of extremely cold temperatures and
dangerous wind chills. To help prepare for the upcoming winter
season... informative winter safety information is available on the
National Weather Service... Omaha/valley... web site in the in the news
section at: www.Weather.Gov/Omaha the Page contains links to winter
weather safety information.

The National Weather Service issues a variety of products to keep the
public informed of impending winter weather. Below is a listing of
winter weather products issued by the National Weather Service. In
addition... a listing of winter weather terms has been included.

Hazardous weather outlook... .the hazardous weather outlook describes
all potential weather risks... including winter storms and periods of
extreme cold... through seven days. The outlook is designed to
provide an early heads up to a potential storm... or other hazard.
It is issued each day between 5 to 6 am... 5 to 6 PM and updated as
needed.

Winter Storm Watch... alerts the public to the possibility of a
blizzard... heavy snow... freezing rain... sleet or a combination of
elements are possible from 12 to 48 hours in advance. A Winter Storm
Watch does not mean the event is imminent.

Winter Storm Warning... issued when a combination of heavy snow...
freezing rain... sleet or heavy winter precipitation is expected to
combine with strong winds and/or very cold wind chill temperatures. A
Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow is issued when heavy snow of 6
inches or more in 12 hours or 8 inches or more in 24 hours. Winter
storm warnings are issued when the event is very likely or imminent
from zero to 36 hours in advance.

Blizzard Warning... issued for sustained winds or frequent gusts 35
mph or greater... considerable falling and/or blowing snow with
visibility less than 1/4 mile... these conditions should persist for
at least three hours.

Ice Storm Warning... heavy ice accumulation of one quarter inch or
more in 12 hours or less.

Winter weather advisories... issued when snow... freezing rain...
freezing drizzle... sleet or a combination of elements is imminent or
occurring but does not reach warning criteria. Advisories are issued
for events which cause significant inconvenience and are moderately
dangerous.

Wind chill warning... issued when wind chill temperatures are
forecast to be less than 30 degrees below zero.

Wind Chill Advisory... issued when wind chill temperatures are
forecast to be between 20 and 30 degrees below zero.

Dense fog advisory... issued when fog will reduce widespread
visibilities to less than a quarter mile.

Winter weather terms...

Blizzard... combination of winds over 35 mph... blowing or falling
snow reducing visibilities to a quarter mile or less for three hours
or more.

Heavy snow... six inches or more in 12 hours or less... or 8 inches or
more in 24 hours or less.

Freezing rain... rain that falls onto a surface with temperature
below freezing. This causes it to freeze to surfaces... such as
trees... cars and roads forming a coating of glaze or ice. Even very
small accumulations of ice cause a significant hazard.

Sleet... rain drops that freeze into ice pellets before reaching the
ground. Sleet usually bounces when hitting a surface and does not
stick to objects. However... it can accumulate like snowing creating
a hazard.

Blowing snow... wind-driven snow that reduces visibility and causes
significant drifting. Blowing snow may be snow that is falling
and/or loose snow on the ground picked up by the wind.

Snow showers... snow falling at varying intensities for brief periods
of time. Some accumulations are possible.

Snow flurries... light snow falling for short durations. No
accumulation to a light dusting is all that can be expected.

This concludes information for winter weather awareness day 2009.

Brian E. Smith
warning coordination meteorologist