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Winter Storms - Terms to Know
Sleet: Rain: drops that freeze into ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet can accumulate but does not stick.
Freezing Rain: Defined as rain occurring when the surface temperatures are below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit, 0 degrees Celsius). The moisture falls in liquid form, but freezes upon impact, resulting in a coating of ice glaze on exposed objects.
Freezing Rain Advisory: This product is issued by the National Weather Service when freezing rain or freezing drizzle causes significant inconveniences, but does not meet warning criteria (normally an ice accumulation of 1/4 inch or greater) and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to life-threatening situations.
Ice Storm Warning: This product is issued by the National Weather Service when freezing rain produces a significant and possibly damaging accumulation of ice. The criteria for this warning vary from state to state.
Winter Weather Advisory: This product is issued by the National Weather Service when a low pressure system produces a combination of winter weather (snow, freezing rain, sleet, etc.) that present a hazard, but does not meet warning criteria. In this case, snowfall does not have to reach Snow Advisory Criteria. The criteria for this advisory can vary from place to place.
Winter Storm Watch: This product is issued by the National Weather Service when there is a potential of very heavy snow. The criteria for this watch can vary from place to place.
Winter Storm Warning: This product is issued by the National Weather Service when a winter storm is producing very heavy snow. The criteria for this warning can vary from place to place.
Snow Advisory: This product is issued by the National Weather Service when a low pressure system produces snow that may cause significant inconveniences but do not meet warning criteria and if caution is not exercised could lead to life threatening situations. The advisory criterion varies from area to area. In Michigan, the criteria for its issuance is a snow event that is forecasted to produce snow (average of forecast range) greater than 3 inches, but less than warning criteria (6 inches in Lower Michigan and 8 inches in Upper Michigan) in 12 hours. If the forecaster feels that it is warranted, he or she can issued it for amounts less than the minimum criteria. For example, it may be issued for the first snow of the season or when snow has not fallen in long while
Frostbite: A severe reaction to cold exposure that can cause permanent harm. A loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in fingers, toes, nose or earlobes are symptoms of frostbite.
Hypothermia: A condition brought on when the body temperature drops to less than 95°F. Symptoms of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, slow speech, memory lapses, frequent stumbling, drowsiness, and exhaustion. Hypothermia is not always fatal, but for those who survive there are likely to be lasting kidney, liver and pancreas problems.
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