Winter Weather Alert: Which states will see snow storms today, Friday, December 15?
Winter weather will be affecting communities across the country creating hazardous conditions in some areas. Check out the full list of NWS alerts.
Cold temperatures and snow are creating dangerous conditions around the country. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued dozens of alerts. If you live in an affected area, it is advised that you take the proper precautions to stay safe. We have compiled all of the current alerts active for Friday 15 December, and for the full details, check out the NWS website.
What is a Winter Weather Advisory?
The following areas are under Winter Weather Advisory, which the NWS issues “for any amount of freezing rain, or when 2 to 4 inches of snow (alone or in combination with sleet and freezing rain), is expected to cause a significant inconvenience, but not serious enough to warrant a warning.” For the details, please review the information uploaded to the NWS website, which compiles and updates these alerts.
What is a Winter Storm Warning?
The more severe alert issued by the NWS is a Winter Storm Warning, which includes “heavy snow of at least 6 inches in 12 hours, or at least 8 inches in 24 hours, is expected. It can also be issued if sleet accumulation will be at least half an inch.”
The NWS also issues Ice Storm Warnings where ice accumulation of at least one-fourth of an inch is expected, while a Blizzard Warning is given when blizzard conditions are expected for at least three hours.
Alaska
Winter Weather Advisory: Yukon Delta Coast (until Dec. 15 12 p.m. AKST), St Lawrence Island (until Dec. 15 3 p.m. AKST)
Blizzard Warning: Kuskokwim Delta (until Dec. 15 9 a.m. AKST), Bristol Bay (until Dec.15 9 a.m. AKST)
Colorado
Dense Fog Advisory: Central Yampa River Basin; Upper Yampa River Basin (until Dec. 15 10 a.m. MST), Cheyenne County; Kit Carson County (until Dec.15 5 a.m. MST)
Kansas
Winter Weather Advisory: Clark; Ford; Gray; Hodgeman; Meade; Seward (until Dec.15 12 p.m. CST)
Dense Fog Advisory: Finney; Grant; Hamilton; Haskell; Kearny; Morton; Scott; Seward; Stanton; Stevens, Greeley; Logan; Sherman; Thomas; Wallace; Wichita (until Dec. 15 6 a.m. CST)
Oklahoma
Winter Weather Advisory: Texas, Beaver (until Dec.15 12 p.m. CST)
Dense Fog Advisory: Beaver; Cimarron; Texas (until Dec.15 10 a.m. CST)
Texas
Winter Weather Advisory: Hansford; Lipscomb; Ochiltree (until Dec.15 12 p.m. CST)
Dense Fog Advisory: Dallam; Hansford; Hartley; Hemphill; Hutchinson; Lipscomb; Moore; Ochiltree; Roberts; Sherman (until Dec.15 10 a.m. CST)
It’s important to keep yourself updated with the latest weather alerts. To get the full details, you can visit the NWS website. In most cases, these warnings will advise you to stay off the roads or take necessary precautions. For instance, make sure to give yourself extra time to reach your destination as the roads might be slippery and require you to slow down at certain points. When you’re not on the road, it’s also important to be cautious while walking on walkways, sidewalks, and paths as they can become icy and increase the risk of injuries.