Here’s Why You Won’t Hear Any Wind Chill Warnings in Indiana This Winter
The National Weather Service is simplifying winter weather terms and eliminating Wind Chill Advisories, Watches, and Warnings.
What You Need to Know About the National Weather Service’s New Cold Weather Terms
You might be thinking, wait - don't you mean wind shield? LOL. This is what it sounds like, and maybe that's one of the reasons the National Weather Service has decided to retire this winter term.
The National Weather Service (NWS) is rolling out changes to simplify its cold weather alerts, making it easier for everyone to stay safe and informed when extreme cold is on the way. If you’re used to hearing terms like "Wind Chill Watch" or "Hard Freeze Warning," here’s what’s changing and why.
NWS Cold Weather Product Consolidation
Starting in the Fall of 2024, the NWS is combining several cold weather alerts into more streamlined categories. Wind Chill-related alerts are now part of the Extreme Cold Watch/Warning and the Cold Weather Advisory. Similarly, Freeze-related alerts like the "Hard Freeze" will be consolidated into the more general Freeze Watch/Warning.
These changes are meant to cut down on confusion and help people make better decisions when cold weather strikes. The goal? More straightforward messaging that quickly gets to the heart of the matter: staying safe.
What’s Changing?
- Wind Chill Watch/Warning/Advisory → Extreme Cold Watch/Warning or Cold Weather Advisory
- Hard Freeze Watch/Warning → Freeze Watch/Warning
These streamlined terms make it clearer when cold weather is simply uncomfortable or when it’s dangerously cold and action is needed.
Why the Change?
The NWS is updating its weather products as part of its Hazard Simplification Project, which aims to make weather warnings more user-friendly. They’ve collected feedback from public surveys, government agencies, and weather experts to create these new terms. This means when cold weather is dangerous, the message is clearer and easier to understand.
Cold Without Wind?
One interesting change is that the NWS will still be alerting us about cold weather without wind chill, something they’re calling “cold is cold.” Wind chill won't disappear entirely, but the focus will shift toward how cold temperatures are, with or without wind.
What Does This Mean for You?
For those who rely on freeze warnings for agriculture, gardening, or just prepping for the winter months, this consolidation will make it easier to understand when the cold is coming and what precautions to take. Plus, it simplifies things by cutting down on the number of different weather terms you need to remember.
These updates should help everyone stay safe and informed, especially as winter approaches and extreme cold weather becomes a reality.
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