If you’ve been watching our coverage lately, you might have noticed some new terminology when we talk about the freezing temps. We’ve updated how we issue cold weather alerts to make it clearer when the cold goes from “uncomfortable” to “dangerous.”
Here is a quick breakdown of what these new alerts mean for us here in the CSRA and how the criteria change depending on where you live.
- Cold Weather Advisory: Think of this as a “heads up.” This is issued for seasonably cold temperatures or wind chills that could cause minor issues like frostbite on exposed skin if you’re out too long. When you see this, it’s your reminder to bundle up and dress appropriately.
- Extreme Cold Watch: This means conditions are favorable for dangerously cold weather. It’s a signal to keep an eye on the forecast because an upgrade to a Warning is possible.
- Extreme Cold Warning: This is the serious one. It means dangerously low temperatures are either happening right now or are imminent. This poses a serious threat of frostbite or hypothermia and requires immediate action to protect yourself, your pets, and your pipes.
One of the most interesting parts of this update is that “cold” is relative. The temperature that triggers an alert in the northern part of our area is different from what triggers one down south…