Here is why there won’t be any wind chill warnings this winter in the US
(Gray News) - You will no longer hear of wind chill warnings in the United States.
You also will not hear of wind chill advisories or wind chill watches.
The explanation is simple.
The National Weather Service retired the terms in exchange for terms it hopes will make weather alerts easier to understand.
A Wind Chill Watch is now an Extreme Cold Watch. It will be issued when dangerously cold air, with or without wind, is possible. You should adjust plans to avoid being outside during the coldest parts of the day and make sure you have at least half a tank of gas and an updated winter survival kit.
A Wind Chill Warning is now an Extreme Cold Warning. It will be issued when dangerously cold air, with or without wind, is expected. You should avoid going outside, but if you must, you should dress in layers, cover exposed skin and make sure at least one person knows where you are going and when you arrive at your destination.
A Wind Chill Advisory is now a Cold Weather Advisory. You should be sure to be dressed appropriately and cover exposed skin when going outdoors.
The NWS made the changes in hopes of clarifying that cold can be dangerous with or without wind, addressing a common misconception that extreme cold is only tied to colder temperatures when there is wind.
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