Major Winter Storm Moves Through the Mid-Atlantic; High Winds Coming to Southern California

A major winter storm will move from the Ohio Valley to the Mid-Atlantic today, continuing severe travel delays, with major impacts due to areas of heavy snow and some icing for portions of West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Delaware. High winds will impact much of southern California Tuesday into Wednesday possibly resulting in power outages and fire weather. Read More >

Getting The Word | Climatology | Winter Storms | Definitions

The National Weather Service uses the following definitions when describing winter weather:

An advance statement that severe winter weather conditions are possible within the next day or two.

An urgent statement that severe winter weather conditions have begun or will begin within about 12 hours.

Advisory

A statement that winter weather conditions are imminent or occurring. These conditions will cause significant inconvenience, and may become hazardous or life-threatening if safety tips are not followed.

Heavy Snow

Snowfall which accumulates to a depth of at least 4 inches in 12 hours or 6 inches in 24 hours.

Sleet

Pellets of ice composed of frozen or mostly frozen raindrops, or snowflakes which have melted and refrozen.

Freezing Rain/Freezing Drizzle

Rain or drizzle which falls as liquid then freezes when it strikes the ground or other surface.

Frost

The formation of thin ice crystals on the ground or other surfaces.

Wind Chill

A cooling effect caused when wind blows across exposed skin.

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Major Winter Storm Moves Through the Mid-Atlantic; High Winds Coming to Southern California

NWS Ft. Worth