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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Burlington VT
301 AM EDT Fri Oct 31 2025

...Winter Weather Preparedness Week Across New England And New
York...
...Today`s Topic...Winter Weather Warnings And Terminology... 

All of the New England states as well as the state of New York,
in partnership with the National Weather Service offices in these
respective states, have designated this week as Winter Weather
Preparedness Week.

If you have not already done so, now is the time to get yourself
and your property prepared for the winter season.

During the winter season, your National Weather Service office at
Burlington maintains a 24 hour weather watch. Various types of
messages will be issued throughout the season informing you of
impending hazardous winter weather and how to prepare for it.

It is important that you understand the terminology used so that
you can quickly take appropriate action necessary to save lives
and minimize damage to property.

A Hazardous Weather Outlook is generally issued up to 7 days in
advance of an approaching winter storm when forecasters believe
there is a strong possibility of winter storm conditions.

A Winter Storm Watch means conditions are favorable for the
development of hazardous winter weather. Weather conditions that
would prompt the issuance of a watch include the possibility of
a blizzard, snow accumulating 7 or more inches, damaging
accumulations of ice such as the ice storm of January 1998, or
a combination of these elements. Winter Storm Watches are typically
issued 12 to 48 hours before the arrival of the winter storm.

When a Winter Storm Warning is issued, there is a high probability
that hazardous winter weather such as snow, sleet, freezing
rain or a combination of these elements is imminent or is already
in progress. An Ice Storm Warning is issued for expected ice
accumulation of an half inch or greater. These warnings are
generally issued 12 to 24 hours before the winter storm arrives.

A Blizzard Warning will be issued for only the most severe winter
weather conditions. In a blizzard, heavy snow and winds of at
least 35 miles an hour combine to create visibilities at or
below one quarter of a mile in falling, blowing, and drifting
snow, persisting for at least 3 hours.

A Snow Squall Warning will be issued when quarter mile or lower
visibility is expected with brief heavy snow and gusty winds,
producing hazardous conditions for motorists.

An Extreme Cold Warning is issued when temperature or apparent
temperature is expected to meet or exceed minus 30 degrees. Rapid
onset of hypothermia or frostbite and impacts to electrical equipment
are possible in these conditions.

A High Wind Warning will be issued for the occurrence of persistent
winds of 40 miles an hour or greater or frequent gusts in excess of
58 miles an hour.

A Winter Weather Advisory is issued for 4 or more inches of snow
or for significant icing on exposed surfaces such as roads,
sidewalks, power lines, and trees to pose a hazard, but fall short
of warning criteria. Specific winter type advisories such as a
Lake Effect Snow Advisory may be issued as well.

A Cold Weather Advisory is issued when temperature or apparent
temperature is expected to range between 20 and 29 degrees below
zero. At these temperatures exposed flesh can experience frostbite in
less than 30 minutes.

A Wind Advisory will be issued for the occurrence of persistent
winds between 31 and 39 miles an hour, or frequent gusts in excess
of 45 miles an hour.

Winter can be a very dangerous time of year. The National Weather
Service at Burlington will keep you up-to-date on fast changing
weather conditions. So listen to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards
often for the latest weather information. Also, check the latest
forecasts, warnings, and more at weather.gov, then click on Vermont.

$$