A Winter Storm Warning (SAME code: WSW) is a statement made by the National Weather Service of the United States which means a winter storm is occurring or is about to occur in the area, usually within 36 hours. Generally, a Winter Storm Warning is issued if at least 4 inches (10 cm) to 7 inches (18 cm) or more of snow or 3 inches (7.6 cm) or more of snow with a large accumulation of ice is forecast. In the Southern United States, where severe winter weather is much less common and any snow is a more significant event, warning criteria are lower, as low as 2 inches (5.1 cm) in the southernmost areas. A warning can also be issued during high impact events of lesser amounts, usually early or very late in the season when trees have leaves and damage can result.
Usually, a large accumulation of ice alone with no snow will result in an Ice Storm Warning, or in the case of light freezing rain, a Winter Weather Advisory, a Freezing Rain Advisory, or Drizzle Advisory.
A similar warning is issued by Environment Canada's Meteorological Service of Canada from their offices.
Prior to the 2008-09 winter storm season, there was the Heavy Snow Warning, specific for when only a heavy amount of snow was expected in the warned area. The Winter Storm Warning for Heavy Snow has since replaced it.
Read more about Winter Storm Warning: Types
Famous quotes containing the words winter, storm and/or warning:
“O Time and Change!—with hair as gray
As was my sire’s that winter day,
How strange it seems, with so much gone
Of life and love, to still live on!
Ah, brother! only I and thou
Are left of all that circle now,—
The dear home faces whereupon
That fitful firelight paled and shone.”
—John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892)
“Thus thinne and lean without a fence or friend,
I was blown through with ev’ry storm and winde.”
—George Herbert (1593–1633)
“By day thy warning ringing bell to sound its notes,
By night thy silent signal lamps to swing.”
—Walt Whitman (1819–1892)