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    • The National Weather Service is issuing wind chill warnings and advisories
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    The National Weather Service is issuing wind chill warnings and advisories

    Caradoc Wyn Posted on

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    A familiar term for cold weather will be missing from the coming winter weather forecasts: “wind chill.”

    The National Weather Service announced it will no longer issue publicly available wind watches, warnings and warnings starting this winter. Wind chill terms were retired to clear up confusion surrounding weather warnings for the public, said Benjamin Sheppard, meteorologist for the NWS Milwaukee-Sullivan office.

    Previously, wind chill warnings and extreme cold warnings were issued separately, with the former based on the “wind chill” calculation – which essentially takes into account both the air temperature and the feeling of cold to people and animals based on wind speeds – and the latter based on the calculation alone Air temperature dependent.

    Now NWS only issues cold weather warnings, extreme cold warnings, and extreme cold warnings, using wind chill temperatures internally to determine these products. These advisories are issued regardless of whether forecast temperatures match the wind chill or Air temperature threshold for each category:

    • Cold Weather Note: Wind chill or temperature of -20°F over the next 12 to 24 hours.
    • Extremely cold clock: Wind chills or temperatures of -30°F are possible over the next 24 to 72 hours.
    • Extreme cold warning: A wind chill or temperature of -30°F is possible over the next 12 to 36 hours.

    Sheppard said the new guidelines are based on research that suggests both wind chill and extreme cold without wind are “equally effective and equally dangerous” and require similar precautions.

    “We concluded that the fact that the two hazards are in separate products has simply created confusion among the public,” he said.

    All NWS offices in the country will no longer issue wind chill warnings, but the thresholds for the categories vary depending on the region of the country. The above thresholds apply to the Milwaukee-Sullivan office, which covers most of southern and part of east-central Wisconsin.

    Cold Weather Safety Tips

    NWS offers the following cold weather safety tips for each advisory level:

    • Cold Weather Note: Be aware. A cold warning is issued when seasonally cold air temperatures or wind chill values, but not extremely cold values, are expected or occur. Make sure you and your loved ones dress appropriately and cover exposed skin when going outdoors.
    • Extremely cold clock: Be prepared. An extreme cold warning is issued when dangerously cold air temperatures or wind chill levels are possible. As with a warning, adjust your plans to avoid being outside during the coldest times of the day. Make sure your car has at least half a tank of gas and update your winter survival gear.
    • Extreme cold warning: Get active! An extreme cold warning is issued when dangerously cold air temperatures or wind chill levels are expected or occur. If you are in an area with an extreme cold warning, avoid going outside. If you must go outside, dress in layers, cover exposed skin, and make sure at least one other person is aware of your whereabouts. Update it when you arrive safely at your destination.

    Learn more about cold weather and how to prepare for it here: Weather.gov/safety/cold-ww.

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    Caradoc Wyn
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