Caribou National Weather Service - Significant Event Definitions/Thresholds

WARM SEASON EVENTS	THRESHOLDS
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING	WINDS>=58 mph (or implied by damage), and/or HAIL >= 3/4 inch
TORNADO WARNING	Radar Indicated and/or Spotter Report
FLASH FLOOD WARNING	Life/Property threat within 6 hours.
FLOOD WARNING	Widespread flooding of longer duration
FLOOD WARNING  (MAIN STEM RIVER)	Life/Property threat beyond 12 hours.
COLD SEASON EVENTS	THRESHOLDS
WINTER STORM OUTLOOK	Issued when a major storm could impact the area beyond 48 hours.
WINTER STORM WATCH	Issued when there is a likelihood a warning will eventually be issued. Watches are normally valid for possible events occurring within 12 to 48 hours.
WINTER STORM WARNING	Heavy Snow 7" or more within 24 hours. Warnings may also be issued when greater than .5 inch of sleet or freezing rain accumulation is expected.
BLIZZARD WARNING	Sustained winds or frequent gusts greater than or equal to 35 mph and falling or blowing snow with visibility less than 1/4 mile for greater at least 3 hours.
WIND CHILL WARNING	Widespread wind chills of 45 degrees below zero or lower with winds greater than 10 mph.
WIND CHILL ADVISORY	Widespread wind chills of 30 to 44 degrees below zero with winds at least 10 mph.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY	Greater than 4" but less than 7" of snow in 24 hours, less than .5" of sleet or freezing rain, or blowing snow
BLOWING SNOW ADVISORY	Wind-driven snow resulting in visibilities occasionally 1/4 mile or lower.
COASTAL FLOOD WATCH	Coastal flooding not a associated with a tropical system possible within 12 to 36 hours.
COASTAL FLOOD WARNING	Coastal flooding not a associated with a tropical system expected within 12  hours.
MARINE	THRESHOLDS
HURRICANE WARNING	Sustained wind of 64 kts (74 mph) or greater resulting from a tropical storm system...may also be issued for coastal forecast zones (29 & 30).
TROPICAL STORM WARNING	Sustained wind of 34 - 63 kts (40 - 73 mph) resulting from a tropical system...may also be issued for coastal forecast zones (29 & 30).
STORM WARNING	Sustained wind of 48 kts or more not associated with a tropical system.
GALE WARNING	Sustained wind of 34 to 47 kts not associated with a tropical system.
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY	Sustained winds of 25 to 33 kts and/or average seas of 5 feet or higher.
SPECIAL MARINE WARNING	Thunderstorm Winds of greater than 34 kts, water spouts, or any short duration wind greater than 34 kts not covered adequately in the marine forecast.
OTHER EVENTS	THRESHOLDS
HIGH WIND WARNING	Sustained winds at least 40 mph for 1 hour or more, or gusts to 58 mph or more for any duration. May be preceded by a High Wind Watch.
WIND ADVISORY	Sustained winds of 31 to 39 mph for 1 hour or more, or gusts from 46 to 57 mph for any duration.
DENSE FOG ADVISORY	Widespread visibilities less than 1/4 mile.
FREEZE WARNING	Widespread temperatures below 30 degrees (a HARD FREEZE WARNING is issued for temperatures below 25). May or may not be accompanied by frost. Issued only during growing season.
FROST WARNING	Widespread temperatures 30 to 35 degrees. Widespread frost...may occur even though standard observing level temperatures (5 feet above ground) are above freezing. Issued only during growing season.
FROST ADVISORY	Widespread temperatures in the mid 30s. Scattered frost...may occur even though standard observing level temperatures (5 feet above ground) are above freezing. Issued only during growing season.
CIVIL EMERGENCY MESSAGE	Any emergency declared by city, county or state emergency management. Most often associated with nuclear or other hazardous materials. Issued at the request of emergency management.

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