National Weather Service Issues Cold Weather Advisory
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued its first Cold Weather Advisory (CWA) of the season for Central Texas, signaling the arrival of cooler-than-normal temperatures next week. The advisory marks a significant weather update for the region, with the NWS predicting conditions that could pose risks to residents. This alert comes as part of a new system introduced by the NWS, revising how cold weather warnings are communicated.
Changes to Cold Weather Messaging
The recent advisory reflects changes made by the NWS to its cold weather alert system. These modifications, which took effect on October 1st of the previous year, aim to provide clearer and more direct messaging regarding dangerous cold conditions. Notably, the NWS has eliminated the use of wind chill alerts. Terms like Wind Chill Watches have been replaced with Extreme Cold Watches, Wind Chill Warnings have become Extreme Cold Warnings, and Wind Chill Advisories have now been renamed Cold Weather Advisories. According to the NWS, these changes were designed to eliminate misconceptions about cold weather.
It’s often assumed that cold temperatures only become dangerous when there’s wind, but the NWS clarifies that extreme cold can be hazardous even without wind, and the new terminology better reflects that. The service also pointed out that dangerous cold can occur both before and after wintry precipitation, and the revised system ensures that cold risks are not overshadowed by snow or ice.
Criteria for Cold Weather Advisory Issuance
The conditions under which a Cold Weather Advisory is issued vary across Central Texas. In the Hill Country, a CWA will be triggered if the air temperature or wind chill drops to 15°F or below. In contrast, for the eastern counties, the threshold is slightly higher, with a CWA being issued if the air temperature or wind chill reaches 20°F or lower. These advisories can be issued repeatedly, depending on the severity and duration of the cold temperatures. With the winter season approaching, residents in Central Texas are advised to stay informed and prepared for the colder weather.
