Do you know the difference? NWAW

Day 2 of Winter Awareness Week in Kentucky and several surrounding states with the exception of Missouri which is November 17th.  Below is the from Paducah National Weather Service. 
 The temperatures will be cooler this week with some mornings will be frosty this week.  Thursday night/ Friday maybe the coldest morning.  Rain chances for this week look low with chances on Tuesday and Wednesday.   Maybe another chance on 21st and 22nd we will see as it gets near those dates. 

Daily Weather Discussion from NWS it changes daily

Do you know what it means when you are in a winter weather watch, advisory, or warning?

A winter storm watch is issued to give advance notice when a significant winter storm may affect your area within 18 to 72 hours. A watch will often be issued when there is still uncertainty in the path and strength of a developing winter storm. Usually the winter storm watch will be upgraded to a warning when the nature and location of the weather event become more apparent. In any case, when a watch is issued for your area, it is time to prepare for severe winter weather.

When severe winter weather is imminent or already occurring, a warning will be issued.

The most dangerous of all winter storms is the blizzard. The deadly combination of fierce winds and snow reduces visibility to near zero and creates wind chills well below zero. A blizzard warning is issued when winds of 35 miles an hour will occur in combination with considerable falling and/or blowing snow for at least 3 hours. Visibilities will frequently be reduced to less than 1/4 mile.

Winter Storm Warnings are issued for other severe winter weather, including:

• snowfall of 6 inches or more in 12 hours or 8 inches in 24 hours,
• a dangerous coating of ice (usually 1/4 inch thick or more),
• 1/2 inch or more of sleet accumulation
• and/or life-threatening wind chills reaching minus 30 or lower.

Advisories highlight weather that will cause significant inconvenience, but (if caution is exercised) should not be life-threatening. Advisories may be issued for one or several of the following conditions:

• 3 to 5 inches of snow
• ice accumulations less than 1/4 inch,
• blowing snow significantly reducing visibilities,
• hazardous drifting of snow,
• and/or wind chills from -20 to -29 degrees Fahrenheit.

So now that we've covered all of the details, the important thing to understand about watches, warnings, and advisories, is that:

• a WATCH means it's time to get ready,
• an ADVISORY means that conditions are hazardous,
• and a WARNING means the situation is life-threatening.

I will try and keep you updated this week with different Winter Weather topics daily this week to promote preparedness.  I know many were unprepared during the one in 2009 including myself.

If the weather changes I will let you know