1. NWS Winter Weather Products and Upcoming Chat Changes Gary Woodall WFO Fort Worth/Dallas, TX Winter 2008-2009

2. Winter Wx Products – Outlook Outlooks – 3-7 day advance notice of winter event which has the potential to threaten life/property. Outlooks – 3-7 day advance notice of winter event which has the potential to threaten life/property. Included in Hazardous Weather Outlook and Special WX Statement. Included in Hazardous Weather Outlook and Special WX Statement. HWO - FLUS44 KFWD HWO - FLUS44 KFWD SPS - WWUS84 KFWD SPS - WWUS84 KFWD Updated information every 12 hours. Updated information every 12 hours. Continue outlook info until watch issued or threat diminishes. Continue outlook info until watch issued or threat diminishes.

3. Winter Wx Products - Watch Watches– 50% or greater chance of event exceeding warning criteria in 2 nd or 3 rd forecast period (SPS Otherwise). Watches– 50% or greater chance of event exceeding warning criteria in 2 nd or 3 rd forecast period (SPS Otherwise). Occasionally (rarely) out to 4 th period. Occasionally (rarely) out to 4 th period. WSWFWD (WWUS44 KFWD) updated every 8-12 hours or if conditions change. WSWFWD (WWUS44 KFWD) updated every 8-12 hours or if conditions change. Issued as Winter Storm Watch. Issued as Winter Storm Watch. Continued until warning issued, advisory issued, or threat diminishes. Continued until warning issued, advisory issued, or threat diminishes.

4. Winter Wx Products - Warnings Warnings – likelihood (80%) of event exceeding warning criteria in first 1-2 forecast periods. Warnings – likelihood (80%) of event exceeding warning criteria in first 1-2 forecast periods. Occasionally (rarely!) out to 3 rd period. Occasionally (rarely!) out to 3 rd period. WSWFWD (WWUS44 KFWD) updated every 6-8 hours. WSWFWD (WWUS44 KFWD) updated every 6-8 hours. Continued until event ends or threat diminishes (warning cancelled). Continued until event ends or threat diminishes (warning cancelled).

5. Warning Criteria Heavy Snow – 4+ in 12h, 6+ in 24h. Heavy Snow – 4+ in 12h, 6+ in 24h. Blizzard – 35+ mph wind, vsby < ¼ mi, for 3+ hours. Blizzard – 35+ mph wind, vsby < ¼ mi, for 3+ hours. Ice storm – ¼ inch ZR accumulation. Ice storm – ¼ inch ZR accumulation. Heavy sleet – ½ inch IP accumulation. Heavy sleet – ½ inch IP accumulation. Combination of events with one meeting warning criteria. Combination of events with one meeting warning criteria. We may factor impacts, response into borderline advisory/warning decisions We may factor impacts, response into borderline advisory/warning decisions

6. Winter Wx Products - Advisories Advisories – likelihood (80%) of event in first 1-2 forecast periods. Advisories – likelihood (80%) of event in first 1-2 forecast periods. Event will cause significant inconvenience or threat if precautions not followed. Event will cause significant inconvenience or threat if precautions not followed. WSWFWD (WWUS44 KFWD) updated every 6 - 8 hours. WSWFWD (WWUS44 KFWD) updated every 6 - 8 hours. Continued until event ends or threat diminishes. Continued until event ends or threat diminishes.

7. Advisory Criteria Snow – 1-3 in 12 hours. Snow – 1-3 in 12 hours. Blowing Snow – vsby < ¼ mile. Blowing Snow – vsby < ¼ mile. Freezing Rain – less than ¼ inch. Freezing Rain – less than ¼ inch. Sleet – less than ½ inch accumulation. Sleet – less than ½ inch accumulation. Freezing Drizzle – light accumulation. Freezing Drizzle – light accumulation. Wind Chill – values at or below 0 F. Wind Chill – values at or below 0 F. Combination of elements, none of which meets warning criteria. Combination of elements, none of which meets warning criteria.

8. Warning/Advisory Wording Ice storm warning Ice storm warning Winter storm warning Winter storm warning Freezing rain advisory Freezing rain advisory Winter weather advisory Winter weather advisory...winter storm warning for......winter storm warning for......winter weather advisory for......winter weather advisory for... Warning/advisory segments will discuss the element(s) in more detail. Warning/advisory segments will discuss the element(s) in more detail.

9. Non-Precip Products - NPWFWD High Wind Warning – sustained winds 40 mph or stronger, frequent gusts to 58+ mph, for 1 hour or longer. High Wind Warning – sustained winds 40 mph or stronger, frequent gusts to 58+ mph, for 1 hour or longer. Wind Advisory – sustained winds 25+ mph for 2 hours or longer (frequent gusts 35+?). Wind Advisory – sustained winds 25+ mph for 2 hours or longer (frequent gusts 35+?). Dense Fog Advisory – widespread or localized fog reducing visibilities to 1/4 mile or less. Dense Fog Advisory – widespread or localized fog reducing visibilities to 1/4 mile or less. Freeze Warning – first freeze of season or sig freeze after a warm spell. Freeze Warning – first freeze of season or sig freeze after a warm spell. Frost Advisory – first frost of season, frost after growing season starts. Frost Advisory – first frost of season, frost after growing season starts.

10. Segmented Format Winter WX products continue with segmented format Winter WX products continue with segmented format Cancellations Cancellations Warnings Warnings Advisories Advisories Watches Watches Headline/overview at top of product. Headline/overview at top of product. Specific headlines, review of specific impacts in each segment. Specific headlines, review of specific impacts in each segment. Each segment will briefly Tell the story. Each segment will briefly Tell the story.

11. Product Suite WSWs should discuss synoptic scale environment. WSWs should discuss synoptic scale environment. Short Term Fcsts – Every 1-3 hours, discusses meso/sub-synoptic features, precip rates. Short Term Fcsts – Every 1-3 hours, discusses meso/sub-synoptic features, precip rates. SPSs to cancel outlooks. SPSs to cancel outlooks. SPS/sig WX advisory can be used to discuss sig precip areas (CG threat embedded in stratiform pcpn, bands of heavy snow, etc.). SPS/sig WX advisory can be used to discuss sig precip areas (CG threat embedded in stratiform pcpn, bands of heavy snow, etc.).

12. Other Considerations Primary thoughts in Area Forecast Discussion (FXUS64 KFWD), IEM/NWS Chat for collaboration. Primary thoughts in Area Forecast Discussion (FXUS64 KFWD), IEM/NWS Chat for collaboration. Meet-me conference call if necessary. Meet-me conference call if necessary. Dynamic web headlines as event evolves. Dynamic web headlines as event evolves. Graphical images to depict warning/advisory areas, potential impacts. Graphical images to depict warning/advisory areas, potential impacts. You are welcome to use images/info! You are welcome to use images/info!

13. IEM Chat to NWS Chat NWS has hired Daryl Herzmann, incorporating IEM Chat. NWS has hired Daryl Herzmann, incorporating IEM Chat. Chat transition to NWS by mid January. Chat transition to NWS by mid January. Advantage: Multiple redundant backup servers. Advantage: Multiple redundant backup servers. Advantage: 24/7 server support. Advantage: 24/7 server support. Disadvantage: Re-registration, will need to take short (10 minute) training. Disadvantage: Re-registration, will need to take short (10 minute) training. Disadvantage: 12-character password, may need to update periodically. Disadvantage: 12-character password, may need to update periodically.

14. IEM Chat to NWS Chat Gaim/Pidgin will still work as chat software. Gaim/Pidgin will still work as chat software. Bot for injecting our hazardous weather products will be in NWS Chat. Bot for injecting our hazardous weather products will be in NWS Chat. Broadcast messages through IEM system outlining changes. Broadcast messages through IEM system outlining changes. Please let me know of any possible adverse impacts! Please let me know of any possible adverse impacts!

15. Summary A suite of products is available to convey winter weather threats. A suite of products is available to convey winter weather threats. The winter weather product suite should be more streamlined in 08-09. The winter weather product suite should be more streamlined in 08-09. Changes are coming to the IEM/NWS Chat system. Changes are coming to the IEM/NWS Chat system. We will use all available methods to collaborate during winter weather events. We will use all available methods to collaborate during winter weather events. Questions? Questions?