An ice storm warning is a hazardous weather statement issued by the Weather Forecast Offices of the National Weather Service in the United States which indicates that freezing rain produces a significant and possibly damaging accumulation of ice on surfaces. The criteria for this warning vary from state to state, but typically an ice storm warning will be issued any time more than 1⁄4 inch (6.4 mm) of ice at peak is expected to accumulate in an area, else a freezing rain or drizzle advisory is issued; in some areas, the criterion is 1⁄2 inch (13 mm) instead.
Prior to October 2017, a freezing rain advisory or freezing drizzle advisory was issued when a small amount of icing was possible.
In Canada, a freezing rain warning has the same meaning.
Example of an ice storm warning
650 WWUS41 KRLX 140913 WSWRLX URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Charleston WV 413 AM EST Sun Feb 14 2021 WVZ013>016-018-020-024>026-029>031-141715- /O.UPG.KRLX.WS.A.0004.210215T0600Z-210216T1800Z/ /O.NEW.KRLX.IS.W.0002.210215T0600Z-210216T1500Z/ Lincoln-Putnam-Kanawha-Roane-Calhoun-Doddridge-Mingo-Logan-Boone- Gilmer-Lewis-Harrison- Including the cities of Harts, Alum Creek, Hamlin, Teays Valley, Hurricane, Charleston, South Charleston, Saint Albans, Spencer, Grantsville, West Union, Williamson, Logan, Chapmanville, Man, Madison, Glenville, Weston, Clarksburg, and Bridgeport 413 AM EST Sun Feb 14 2021 ...ICE STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM MONDAY TO 10 AM EST TUESDAY... * WHAT...Significant icing expected. Total snow accumulations of up to two inches and ice accumulations of two tenths to one quarter of an inch. * WHERE...Portions of central, northern and southern West Virginia. * WHEN...From 1 AM Monday to 10 AM EST Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice. Travel could be nearly impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There could be a break in the freezing rain Monday afternoon and evening if temperatures manage to rise briefly above freezing. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Travel is strongly discouraged. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Prepare for possible power outages. Additional information can be found at https://www.weather.gov/rlx as well as on our Facebook and Twitter pages. && $$
See also
References
- National Weather Service. "Ice storm warning". Glossary - NOAA's National Weather Service. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
- "IEM :: Valid Time Event Code (VTEC) App".
External links
| Severe weather terminology in the United States | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe storms |
| ||||||||||||||||
| Winter weather |
| ||||||||||||||||
| Tropical cyclones |
| ||||||||||||||||
| Flood |
| ||||||||||||||||
| Apparent temperature |
| ||||||||||||||||
| Maritime and coastal weather |
| ||||||||||||||||
| High surf |
| ||||||||||||||||
| Wind |
| ||||||||||||||||
| Airborne particulates |
| ||||||||||||||||
| Fire | |||||||||||||||||
| Aviation | |||||||||||||||||
| Weather scales used by NWS |
| ||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||
| Tsunami | |||||||||||||||||