Winter storm warning criteria updated

(KTEN) – As the winter season approaches, the National Weather Service (NWS) has updated the criteria for a winter storm warning to be issued. Heavy snow, measured in inches, have been tweaked to serve as the basis for winter storm watches and warnings.

These updates were made to improve decision support services, collaboration, and communication within the NWS and the public.

The dark blue shading shown above represents the heavy snow criteria of 4” needed in a forecast for a winter storm warning to be issued. The light blue shading represents the heavy snow criteria of 3” for a winter storm warning to be issued.

There is an interactive heavy snow criteria map that all users can use to easily find their local criteria on a county basis. To view this data, you can click on this link to go to the official website.