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PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT 
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
700 AM EST TUE NOV 01 2011                                         

The National Weather Service offices that serve New England have
declared the week of October 31st through November 4th, WINTER
WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK.  In conjunction with WINTER WEATHER
AWARENESS WEEK, the National Weather Service Office in Gray will
be issuing Public Information Statements concerning many aspects
of winter weather and winter weather preparedness.  This is the
second in a series of five Public Information Statements to be
issued this week.


...WATCH...WARNING...AND ADVISORY CRITERIA FOR WINTER STORMS...

The National Weather Service issues WATCHES, WARNINGS, and
ADVISORIES to alert the public to potentially dangerous winter
weather events or situations.  While the exact criteria used to
trigger these watches, warnings, and advisories varies throughout
the United States, the following criteria are used in Maine and
New Hampshire.  Note that a WATCH is issued to alert the public
that dangerous winter conditions are possible within the WATCHED
area, generally within the next 24 to 48 hours.  A WARNING is
issued to alert the public that dangerous winter conditions are
likely to occur in the WARNED area, generally within the next 12
to 36 hours, or are occurring.  An ADVISORY is issued to alert the
public that winter conditions are expected to cause a significant
inconvenience and may be hazardous.  If caution is exercised
though, these situations should not be life threatening.

The following Winter Storm Criteria will be used for all of New
Hampshire and western and southern Maine:

     BLIZZARD WARNING

          Snow and/or blowing snow will combine with strong winds
          to produce near-zero visibility.  Deep drifts and
          dangerous wind chill temperatures often accompany these
          conditions.  The exact criteria used for these warnings
          include the following conditions which are expected to
          persist for 3 hours or more.

          Sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 mph or
          more...and falling and/or blowing snow which reduces
          visibilities to 1/4 mile or less.


     WINTER STORM WARNING

          An average of 6 inches or more of snow/sleet is
          expected.

     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY

          An average of at least 4 (but less than 6) inches of
          snow/sleet is expected across the area.  Winter weather
          advisories can also be issued for mixed precipitation
          events or for blowing snow.

     ICE STORM WARNING

          Freezing rain is expected to cause a glaze of ice
          1/2 inch or thicker.

     FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY

          Freezing rain is expected to cause a glaze of ice on
          roads and sidewalks, but less than 1/2 inch is expected.


While the National Weather Service does not issue warnings or
advisories for storms that produce less than an average of 4
inches of snowfall...these storms can be deceptively dangerous to
motorists.  In terms of the deaths that are linked to the snow
storms...the majority are as a result of traffic accidents...and
many of those accidents occur with only small accumulations of
snow.  Slow down as soon as snow begins to accumulate.  In Ice or
Snow - Take It Slow! 


PREPAREDNESS TIP FOR THE DAY:

Heavy wet snow or a significant ice accumulation...especially when
combined with wind...can cause trees or tree limbs to fall onto
power lines.  If you see these conditions beginning to develop in
your area...prepare immediately for the possibility of a power
outage.  Particularly if you depend on a well for water, store an
ample supply of water for both drinking and sanitary needs to last
for several days.


QUESTION OF THE DAY:

Does a blizzard warning mean that there will be more snow than a
winter storm warning? 

ANSWER:   Not necessarily.  Blizzard warnings are issued for
          situations where the combination of snow and/or blowing
          snow...and wind will caused reduced visibilities (1/4
          mile or less) for 3 hours or longer.  This combination
          creates extremely hazardous conditions.  While no
          minimum amount of snowfall is required for blizzard
          conditions, heavy snow, near zero visibility, deep
          drifts, and dangerous wind chills are often a part of
          these hazardous weather events.


Here is a listing of the topics that have been or will be covered
in Public Information Statements during WINTER WEATHER AWARENESS
WEEK.
     
Monday...October 31     - Winter Weather Basics.
Tuesday...November 1    - WATCH...WARNING...and ADVISORY criteria
                          for winter storms.
Wednesday...November 2  - Wind Chill...Extreme Cold... Frostbite
                          and Hypothermia.
Thursday...November 3   - High Wind...Coastal Flood...and Dense 
                          Fog threats.
Friday...November 4     - Winter Weather Preparedness

JENSENIUS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
GRAY...MAINE

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