Extreme cold watch
An extreme cold watch is a weather watch issued by the United States' National Weather Service (NWS) to inform the public that "dangerously cold air, with or without wind, is possible." The extreme cold watch is a 'step' below the "extreme cold warning."[1]
As of 1 October 2024, the NWS replaced the "wind chill watch" with the "extreme cold watch." The NWS officially implemented changes to its wind chill and hard freeze warnings, watches, and advisories (WWAs) as part of its "Hazard Simplification initiative." The goal of these WWA name changes, per the NWS, was "simplifying a suite of cold weather forecast products to improve messaging of winter hazards and provide better decision support." The changes include:[2][3]
Extreme Cold Consolidation and Renaming
- Wind Chill Watch was renamed to Extreme Cold Watch
- Wind Chill Warning was renamed to Extreme Cold Warning
- Wind Chill Advisory was renamed to Cold Weather Advisory
Freeze Consolidation
- Hard Freeze Watch was renamed to Freeze Watch
- Hard Freeze Warning was consolidated to Freeze Warning
Local NWS offices will still determine the standards governing the issuance of such WWAs.
Example
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Charleston WV 1147 AM EST Fri Jan 17 2025 KYZ101>103-105-WVZ005>008-013>016-024>026-180215- /O.NEW.KRLX.EC.A.0001.250120T0900Z-250122T1700Z/ Greenup-Carter-Boyd-Lawrence KY-Wayne-Cabell-Mason-Jackson WV- Lincoln-Putnam-Kanawha-Roane-Mingo-Logan-Boone- Including the cities of Teays Valley, Ripley, Raceland, Harts, South Charleston, New Haven, Alum Creek, Carter Caves State Park, Flatwoods, Man, Ceredo, Point Pleasant, Ravenswood, Yatesville Lake State Park, Cannonsburg, Russell, Grayson Lake State Park, Ashland, Chapmanville, Hamlin, Hurricane, Louisa, Logan, Charleston, Spencer, Grayson, Madison, Wayne, Saint Albans, Kenova, Olive Hill, Huntington, and Williamson 1147 AM EST Fri Jan 17 2025 ...EXTREME COLD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 11 below possible. * WHERE...Portions of northeast Kentucky and central, southern, and western West Virginia. * WHEN...From late Sunday night through Wednesday morning. The coldest period is most likely Monday morning. * IMPACTS...The cold wind chills as low as 11 below zero could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken. Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of freezing temperatures could cause ruptured water pipes. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must go outside. To prevent water pipes from freezing; wrap or drain or allow them to drip slowly. Keep pets indoors as much as possible. Make sure outdoor animals have a warm, dry shelter, food, and unfrozen water. Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside. Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates. Additional information can be found at https://www.weather.gov/rlx as well as on our Facebook and Twitter pages. && $$ $$
References
- ^ Fox 9 Staff. "National Weather Service Renames Cold Forecast". AOL. Archived from the original on 2024-10-12. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
The NWS clarified that an "Extreme Cold Watch" means dangerously cold air, with or without wind, is possible...
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Michael Musher, National Weather Service Public Affairs. "National Weather Service Revises Watch, Warning and Advisory Products". News Around NOAA. Archived from the original on 2024-10-07. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ Blaise Keller. "Beyond the Barometer: Changes coming to wind chill alerts". Wisconsin State Journal. Archived from the original on 2024-10-08. Retrieved 2024-10-10.