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What do ‘cold weather advisory’ and ‘extreme cold warning’ actually mean in Michigan?

Explaining alerts that replaced wind chill watches, warnings, advisories

New cold watches and warnings. (WDIV)

What do the new severe weather alerts, “cold weather advisory” and “extreme cold warning,” actually mean in Michigan?

The National Weather Service consolidated its warnings for dangerously cold wind chill temperatures, replacing the old terminology.

You’ll no longer see wind chill watches, warnings, or advisories. Instead, the following changes have been made:

  • A “wind chill advisory” is now a “cold weather advisory.”
  • A “wind chill watch” is now an “extreme cold watch.”
  • A “wind chill warning” is now an “extreme cold warning.”

Seems pretty simple, right? But what does it actually mean?

A cold weather advisory is issued for wind chill temperatures between -15 and -24 degrees Fahrenheit.

Extreme cold watches and warnings are for wind chill temperatures that drop below -24 degrees. A watch is for when those conditions are possible, and a warning is for when those conditions actually materialize.

Cold weather advisory (WDIV)
Extreme cold warning (WDIV)