Should weather advisories no longer be used?
Folks who know the difference between weather advisories, watches and warnings are likely to be meteorologists and ... well, that’s about it.
When a weather advisory is issued most people don’t know what that means. Should they run for cover? Should they shrug and ignore it?
Which is why the National Weather Service is asking — should advisories get deep-sixed?
The National Weather Service is “trying to simplify the difference between watch, warning and advisory and trying to make the language simpler so it’s easier for people to understand when they need to take action and what exactly is coming,” said Taylor Patterson, a meteorologist at the weather service’s Sullivan bureau.
Adding to the morass of weather information flowing from the agency are special weather statements and shortterm forecasts.
An online survey asking people their thoughts on weather advisories is open through Aug. 21.
National Weather Service officials know that advisories are the least understood way to alert people and they’re often confused with watches. So the agency is proposing changing to a two-tier system for bad weather — watches issued to prepare for a possible significant event, and warnings to take action for an event about to occur or already happening.
For example, winter weather advisories are issued by the Sullivan office, which oversees weather in southeastern Wisconsin, when 3 to 6 inches of snow are forecast a day or two in advance. A winter weather watch is issued for 6 to 8 inches of snow within a 12hour period or 8 inches or more in 24 hours. Other criteria such as freezing rain and stiff winds are factored in to determining what type of alert to be used.
Or when National Weather Service meteorologists want to let people know hot and humid weather is likely on the way.
A heat advisory is issued when temperature values of 100 degrees or higher are expected to show up 36 hours later, or heat values of 99 degrees are likely for days in a row. Heat values combine actual temperatures with dew points, since humidity ratchets up the misery.
For a heat watch, the temperature value thresholds are about the same as an advisory but the timing is more urgent — computer models are predicting the likelihood of high temperatures within 24 hours. A heat warning is issued for heat values of 100 to 105 degrees or higher at any time during the day, or 95 to 100 degrees for two to three consecutive days.
Though the forecast calls for warmer temperatures later this week and the Fourth of July holiday weekend — highs in the metro Milwaukee area of mid to upper 80s — no heat advisories, watches or warnings are expected in the next week or so.
“From some of the comments we’re getting, people don’t feel they need to take any action when an advisory is out,” said Patterson.
Instead the agency is proposing to give out information like expected snowfall totals and high winds but doing it without sticking an “advisory” label on it. And if the weather gets worse, then issuing a watch or warning.
“That’s one of our biggest questions we get asked — what is an advisory, watch and warning and what progresses to them,” Patterson said. “People still get confused with watches and warnings, but we wouldn’t have to explain what an advisory is.”