Winter Weather PNS 2

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Winter Weather Awareness Week is October 26th - November 1st, 2025

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service New York NY
600 AM EDT Mon Oct 27 2025

...THIS WEEK IS WINTER WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK IN NEW YORK STATE...

The topic for today is winter weather preparedness.

Long term seasonal outlooks are issued by the NWS Climate Prediction
Center. The latest winter outlook indicates a slightly higher
probability of above normal temperatures than near or below normal
temperatures. With respect to precipitation there is equal chances
for above, below or near normal precipitation. Shorter term climate
factors, that are difficult to predict more than 1 to 2 weeks in
advance, will have significant influence on the weather we experience
as well.

National Weather Service field offices issue...

Hazardous Weather Outlooks...3 to 7 days before the onset of
potential hazardous weather...

Watches...usually up to 48 hours before the potential onset of
Hazardous weather...

Warnings and Advisories...usually up to 36 hours before the onset of
hazardous weather...

Beginning last season the National Weather Service simplified its
suite of cold weather products. This will be covered more in depth
on Friday.

Snow Squall Warnings (SQWs)...these are short fused, meaning they
are typically issued with an hour or less lead time. They will be
issued if a heavy snow shower, accompanied by gusty winds and
blowing snow, is expected to cause a rapid drop in visibility to 1/4
mile or less and plummet temperatures sufficiently to cause a flash
freeze. These quick moving events are rare in our area, but when
they do occur can be life threatening, leading to multi car pile-ups
on high speed roads. Impact-based Warning (IBW) tags are utilized in
Snow Squall Warnings, and WEAs will be limited to only those high
impact SQWs with the Snow Squall Impact tag of "Significant". This
will improve the public response to SQWs by providing machine
readable information and issuing WEA alerts only for snow squall
events that pose a substantial threat to safe travel.

Otherwise, winter storms bring snow, freezing rain, sleet, flooding
and high winds. Occasionally, arctic air can move in behind winter
storms, resulting in a short or prolonged period of sub-freezing
weather. Be prepared before a storm strikes. Do you have adequate
supplies at home, at work and in your vehicle? Dress properly for
the season. Do you know what to do if you become caught in a winter
storm whether you are outside or inside a vehicle, or inside your
home? Does your family have a disaster plan?

The next statement around 6 am Tuesday will cover heavy snow.

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