Understanding Weather Alert Levels
🟡 WATCH
Weather conditions are favorable for severe weather development. Stay informed and be prepared to take action.
- Monitor weather updates regularly
- Review your emergency supplies
- Prepare thermal blankets and heating equipment
🟠 WARNING
Severe weather is imminent or occurring. Take immediate protective action to save life and property.
- Implement your emergency plan immediately
- Ensure heating systems are functioning
- Have emergency contacts readily available
🔴 EMERGENCY
Extremely dangerous weather is occurring. Take immediate life-saving actions. Seek shelter immediately.
- Stay indoors and avoid all travel
- Use survival techniques if stranded
- Call 911 if in immediate danger
Cold Weather Alert Types
❄️ Wind Chill Advisory
Dangerous wind chill values expected. Frostbite can occur in 30 minutes or less with exposed skin.
Safety Actions:
- Limit outdoor exposure
- Dress in layers and cover exposed skin
- Keep emergency supplies in vehicles
🌨️ Wind Chill Warning
Life-threatening wind chill values expected. Frostbite can occur in 15 minutes or less.
Safety Actions:
- Avoid outdoor activities
- Use emergency thermal protection
- Check on elderly neighbors and relatives
🌪️ Blizzard Warning
Life-threatening blizzard conditions with heavy snow and strong winds reducing visibility to near zero.
Safety Actions:
- Stay indoors - travel is extremely dangerous
- Prepare for power outages
- Have backup heating sources ready
🧊 Ice Storm Warning
Significant ice accumulation expected, making travel extremely hazardous and causing power outages.
Safety Actions:
- Avoid all unnecessary travel
- Prepare for extended power outages
- Never use generators or grills indoors
How to Stay Informed
📱 Mobile Apps
- National Weather Service App
- Weather Underground
- AccuWeather
- Local news station apps
📻 Emergency Radio
- NOAA Weather Radio
- Local AM/FM stations
- Emergency Alert System (EAS)
- Battery or hand-crank radios
🌐 Online Resources
- Weather.gov
- Local emergency management websites
- Social media emergency accounts
- Local news websites
Emergency Preparedness
Weather alerts are only effective if you're prepared to act on them. Make sure you have a complete emergency survival kit, know essential cold weather survival techniques, and have emergency contact numbers readily available. Consider investing in reliable backup heating and emergency thermal protection.