Big Changes for Winter Storms in the Northeast, Mid Atlantic This Winter

The National Weather Service has updated criteria for what "heavy snow" is which in turn impacts how Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Storm Watches are issued. Heavy snow could be as much as 8" or as little as 3" depending where you live. Image: NWS — The National Weather Service has updated criteria for what “heavy snow” is which in turn impacts how Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Storm Watches are issued. Heavy snow could be as much as 8″ or as little as 3″ depending where you live. Image: NWS

The National Weather Service has some big changes when it comes to issuing watches and warnings for winter storms this upcoming season across the nation and especially the Northeast and Mid Atlantic. The criteria for when a watch or warning for a winter storm is changing, with amounts of snow either increasing or decreasing depending on specific counties and regions.

Normally, a Winter Storm Watch will be issued in advance of an arriving winter storm, usually at least 24 hours in advance. When this is issued by a local National Weather Service office, it indicates the risk of a hazardous winter weather event has increased, with at least a 50% chance of it occurring, but its occurrence, location, and/or timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time so you can make plans to stay safe.

As the event becomes imminent, a watch will normally be upgraded to either a warning or an advisory (which indicates an 80% or greater probability of occurrence). A Warning indicates that conditions pose a threat to life or property, and that travel will become difficult to impossible. An Advisory indicates conditions pose a significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.

The type of precipitation that falls is dependent on how thick the cold air is above the surface. Image: NWS — The type of precipitation that falls is dependent on how thick the cold air is above the surface. When the air is cold at all levels, a storm can produce heavy snow. Image: NWS

Usually, heavy snow is the determining factor for a Winter Storm Warning; the heavier the snow, the more likely a warning is to be issued. However, the National Weather Service has evaluated societal impacts of snowfall. In places where it snows frequently and there are active snow removal experts, 5″ of snow may not be that big of an issue; however, in places where it rarely snows and there’s little to no snow or ice removal equipment available, 5″ could be a crippling event.

With the societal impacts factored in, the National Weather Service has revised the criteria across the country for what is considered to be a “heavy snow” event.

Across northern New Hampshire and Maine, heavy snow is 8″. In New York City and Boston and surrounding areas, it is 6″. For Philadelphia, it is now 5″. For eastern Virginia, it is now 3″.

Saturday's snow was quite significant when compared to how little snow fell all winter. — Close-up look at a snowflake.

While Winter Storm Watches and Warnings are indicative of an approaching winter storm, there are other advisories the National Weather Service can issue too. An Ice Storm Warning can be issued if a significant accumulation of ice is impacting an area. A Blizzard Warning can be issued when blizzard conditions (low visibility of less than 1/4 mile due to falling and/or blowing snow, and winds at least 35 mph) are expected for at least 3 hours

The new criteria is active and will be used for all winter storms from this point forward.