Winter Weather Forecasts

Probabilistic Snowfall Forecasts
Ice Accumulation Forecasts
6-hr Snowfall Forecasts
6-hr Ice Accumulation Forecasts
Snowfall Character/Rate
Onset/End-Timing Graphics
Winter Storm Outlook and Winter Storm Severity Index
Snow and Ice Observations
Medium/Long Range Forecast
Other Snow/Ice Information

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Snow Amount Potential Graphics
Snow Amount Exceedance Graphics
Snowfall Totals by Location

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Snow Amount Potential Experimental - Leave feedback Click here for more information on these products Click here for the NWS Probabilistic Precipitation Portal
Expected Snowfall - Official NWS Forecast What's this?	High End Amount 1 in 10 Chance (10%) of Higher Snowfall What's this?
	Low End Amount 9 in 10 Chance (90%) of Higher Snowfall What's this?
Low End Amount – 9 in 10 Chance (90%) of Higher Snowfall This map depicts a reasonable lower-end snowfall amount for the time period shown on the graphic, based on many computer model simulations of possible snowfall totals. This lower amount is an unlikely scenario with a 9 in 10, or 90% chance that more snow will fall, and only a 1 in 10, or 10% chance that less snow will fall. This number can help serve as a lower-end scenario for planning purposes. Expected Snowfall - Official NWS Forecast This map is the official NWS snowfall forecast in inches during the time period shown on the graphic. This snowfall amount is determined by NWS forecasters to be the most likely outcome based on evaluation of data from computer models, satellite, radar, and other observations. High End Amount – Only a 1 in 10 Chance (10%) of Higher Snowfall This map depicts a reasonable upper-end snowfall amount for the time period shown on the graphic, based on many computer model simulations of possible snowfall totals. This higher amount is an unlikely scenario, with only a 1 in 10, or 10% chance that more snow will fall, and a 9 in 10, or 90% chance that less snow will fall. This number can help serve as an upper-end scenario for planning purposes.

The purpose of these experimental probabilistic snowfall products is to provide customers and partners a range of snowfall possibilities, in complement to existing NWS deterministic snowfall graphics, to better communicate forecast uncertainties during winter weather events. For more information visit this project's Product/Service Description Document, and please provide us your feedback here.

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Percent Chance That Snow Amounts Will Be Greater Than...

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Hover over thumbnails below to view larger image.

>=0.1"	>=1"	>=2"	>=4"	>=6"	>=8"	>=12"	>=18"

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Snowfall Totals by Location

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Location	Low-End Amount	Expected Amount	High-End Amount	Chance of Seeing More Than
Location	Low-End Amount	Expected Amount	High-End Amount

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Ice Accumulation Potential
TestExpected Ice Accumulation - Official NWS Forecast This is the elevated flat surface ice accumulation. It is not radial/line ice. Radial/line ice is typically 39% of the elevated flat surface ice. For more information on this, see this module.
What's this?
Most Likely Ice Accumulation Represents our official ice forecast in inches within the next one to three days. The ice accumulation amounts are provided in ranges.

Ice Accumulation Potential

TestExpected Ice Accumulation - Official NWS Forecast

This is the elevated flat surface ice accumulation. It is not radial/line ice. Radial/line ice is typically 39% of the elevated flat surface ice. For more information on this, see this module.

What's this?

Onset of Wintry Precipitation	End Timing of Wintry Precipitation
Precipitation Onset/End Timimg

What's this?	What's this?
Precipitation Onset Most likely time of winter precipitation onset (snow, sleet, freezing rain). Rain is not included here. This information is provided when we issue a Warning or Advisory for expected snow or ice accumulation; typically six to 24 hours in advance. Times are only given for places that are under a Warning or Advisory. They will be blank in areas outside Warnings or Advisories. Precipitation End Time Most likely time of winter precipitation ending (snow, sleet, freezing rain). Rain is not included here. This information is provided when we issue a Warning or Advisory for expected snow or ice accumulation; typically six to 24 hours in advance. Times are only given for places that are under a Warning or Advisory. They will be blank in areas outside Warnings or Advisories.

Winter Storm Severity Index (WSSI)	Winter Storm Outlook (WSO)

National Snow Reports	National Snowfall Analysis


Local Snow Reports

Days 4-7 Winter Weather Outlook

Day 4 Winter Weather Outlook	Day 5 Winter Weather Outlook


Day 6 Winter Weather Outlook	Day 7 Winter Weather Outlook

Click here for an interactive map

CPC Week-2 Experimental Heavy Snow Risk



CPC Temperature & Precipitation Maps

Days 6-10
Temperature	Precipitation



Days 8-14
TEMPERATURE	PRECIPITATION



Week 3-4
TEMPERATURE	PRECIPITATION

NDFD Graphic Forecast Displays	Storm Track
Other Graphics

What's this?	What's this?
Precipitation Onset Most likely time of winter precipitation onset (snow, sleet, freezing rain). Rain is not included here. This information is provided when we issue a Warning or Advisory for expected snow or ice accumulation; typically six to 24 hours in advance. Times are only given for places that are under a Warning or Advisory. They will be blank in areas outside Warnings or Advisories. Winter Storm Severity The purpose of the Winter Storm Severity Index (WSSI) is to provide NWS partners and the general public with an indication of the level of winter precipitation (snow and ice) severity and its potential related societal impacts. The WSSI does not depict official warnings, and should always be used in context with official NWS forecasts and warnings. Because this is a prototype, it may not update in a timely fashion. Always check the creation and valid times. NDFD Graphic Forecast Displays The NWS’s NDFD graphic products are derived from a prescribed set of data contained within the NDFD. These graphics are representations of the official NWS digital forecast. The graphics are created on national and regional scales and will follow a standardized format prescribed by the NWS to best meet the needs of its users Low Tracks Graphic The graphic depicts the forecast location of significant surface lows impacting the 48 contiguous United States in 12 hour increments out to 72 hours into the future. The low position and track forecast by NCEP WPC meteorologist is in white. Each low position is accompanied by a lead time (Eastern Time). The circles around each low represents a 75% probability the observed low will be located with the circle. Note: The probability is derived using previous season's verification data. For reference, existing surface lows are depicted with a red marker without yellow circles. Reported As snow and/or ice reports come into the NWS (you can email reports to rnk.webmaster@noaa.gov or Tweet to @NWSBlacksburg), we will pass them on here. With the map linked here, and the supporting reports below it, you can keep tabs on how much has fallen.
Snowfall Extremes Climatology	Daily Snowfall and Snow Depth

Warming Shelter Decision Support Services