GOVERNOR GEORGE V. VOINOVICH HAS DESIGNATED THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 9TH THROUGH THE 15TH AS WINTER WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK. WINTER WEATHER IN THE OHIO VALLEY CAN OFTEN BE DANGEROUS...AND EVEN LIFE-THREATENING AT TIMES. THE PURPOSE OF WINTER WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK IS TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION THAT YOU NEED TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY WHEN THREATENED BY ADVERSE WINTER WEATHER.

THIS PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT IS THE FOURTH IN A SERIES OF 7 TO BE SENT OUT EACH DAY THIS WEEK CONCERNING WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS. IT IS ADVISED THAT THE MEDIA AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICALS RECEIVING THIS INFORMATION USE IT TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN RELEASES AND STORIES ON WINTER WEATHER. THESE STATEMENTS SHOULD BE SAVED AND REFERRED TO WHEN WINTER WEATHER THREATENS OUR AREA.

...TODAYS TOPIC : NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PRODUCTS AND DEFINITIONS...

Some definitions of the Products we issue:

• WINTER STORM OUTLOOK - A WINTER STORM OUTLOOK MAY BE ISSUED WHEN THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE OF A MAJOR WINTER STORM BEYOND THE POINT NORMALLY COVERED BY A WATCH. AN OUTLOOK MAY BE ISSUED 2 TO 5 DAYS IN ADVANCE OF AN EXPECTED WINTER STORM TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THOSE WHO NEED CONSIDERABLE LEAD TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE EVENT.
• WINTER STORM WATCH - A WINTER STORM WATCH IS ISSUED TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THE POSSIBILITY OF ONE OR A COMBINATION OF THE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING EVENTS: BLIZZARD CONDITIONS, HEAVY SNOW, OR SIGNIFICANT AND DAMAGING ACCUMULATIONS OF FREEZING RAIN OR SLEET. A WATCH USUALLY GIVES 12 TO 36 HOURS ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE ONSET OF WINTER WEATHER.
• WINTER STORM WARNING - A WINTER STORM WARNING IS ISSUED WHEN HEAVY SNOW...OR A MIXTURE OF HEAVY SNOW...FREEZING RAIN...FREEZING DRIZZLE OR SLEET IS OCCURRING...IS IMMINENT...OR IS VERY LIKELY.
• HEAVY SNOW WARNING - A SNOWFALL OF AT LEAST 4 INCHES IN ABOUT 12 HOURS. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS...HEAVY SNOW MAY BE INCLUDED IN WINTER STORM WARNINGS. THE CRITERIA FOR HEAVY SNOW IS A LITTLE HIGHER IN WEST CENTRAL OHIO. AT LEAST 6 INCHES OF SNOW IS REQUIRED IN AROUND 12 HOURS.
• BLIZZARD WARNING - SUSTAINED WINDS OR FREQUENT GUSTS OF 35 MPH OR GREATER AND CONSIDERABLE FALLING AND/OR BLOWING SNOW FREQUENTLY REDUCING THE VISIBILITY TO LESS THAN ONE-QUARTER OF A MILE. SUCH CONDITIONS MUST LAST FOR A PERIOD OF 3 HOURS OR MORE IN ORDER FOR THE STORM TO BE CLASSIFIED AS A BLIZZARD.
• HIGH WIND WARNING - SUSTAINED WINDS AT LEAST 40 MPH OR GUSTS AT LEAST 58 MPH. THESE WINDS MUST LAST FOR AT LEAST ONE HOUR.
• WIND CHILL WARNING - A WIND CHILL WARNING IS ISSUED WHEN WIND CHILLS ARE EXPECTED TO BE 35 DEGREES BELOW ZERO OR COLDER.
• ICE STORM WARNING - AN ICE STORM WARNING MAY BE ISSUED INSTEAD OF A WINTER STORM WARNING WHEN THE ONLY WINTER WEATHER EVENT EXPECTED IS SIGNIFICANT ICE ACCUMULATION FROM FREEZING RAIN.