The following are National Weather Service criteria for issuing Advisories and Warnings for various weather events. Watches generally are issued with longer lead times in expectation of meeting Warning criteria.

TYPE OF ISSUANCE

WHEN ISSUED FOR SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY When the following expected in the next 24-36 hours:
  • Any accretion of freezing rain or freezing drizzle on road surfaces
  • Blowing/drifting snow occasionally reducing visibility to <= 1/4 mile

  • Snow or snow and sleet combination:
  • 3, 4, or 5 inches averaged over a CT, MA, RI forecast zone in 12 hours.
  • 4 or 5 inches averaged over a NH forecast zone in 12 hours
  • WINTER STORM WARNING When the following expected in the next 24-36 hours:
  • 1/2 inch accretion of freezing rain in any zone

  • Snow or snow and sleet combination:
  • 6 inches averaged over a forecast zone in 12 hours
  • 8 inches averaged over a CT, MA, RI forecast zone in 24 hours.
  • 9 inches averaged over a NH forecast zone in 24 hours
  • BLIZZARD WARNING At least 3 hours, falling and/or blowing snow frequently reduces visibility to < 1/4 mile AND sustained winds or frequent gusts >= 35 mph
    WIND CHILL ADVISORY Wind chill index between -15F and -24F for at least 3 hours using only the sustained wind (except -20F to -29F southern NH)
    WIND CHILL WARNING Wind chill index<= -25F for at least 3 hours using only sustained wind (except -30F southern NH)
    WIND ADVISORY Sustained winds 31-39 mph (27-34 kts) for at least 1 hour; OR any gusts to 46-57 mph (40-49 kts)
    HIGH WIND WARNING Sustained winds 40-73 mph (>= for at least 1 hour; OR any gusts >= 58 mph (>= 50 kts)
    INLAND HIGH WIND WARNING FOR HURRICANE FORCE WINDS Sustained winds >= 74 mph
    DENSE FOG ADVISORY Widespread visibility <= 1/4 mile for at least 3 hours
    SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY Sustained wind 25-33 knots AND/OR Seas >= 5 feet within 12 hours
    GALE WARNING Sustained wind 34-47 knots within 24 hours from a non-tropical system
    STORM WARNING Sustained wind >= 48 knots within 24 hours from a non-tropical system
    TROPICAL STORM WARNING Sustained winds of 39-73 mph (34-63 knots) within 24 hours
    HURRICANE WARNING Sustained winds >= 74 mph (64 knots) within 24 hours; implies dangerous storm surge
    SPECIAL MARINE WARNING Brief/sudden occurrence of sustained wind or frequent gusts >= 34 knots, usually associated with thunderstorms; also issued for waterspouts
    SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING Thunderstorms with wind gusts >= 58 mph AND/OR hail >= 3/4" in diameter
    TORNADO WARNING Likelihood of a tornado within the given area based on radar or actual sighting; usually accompanied by conditions indicated above for "Severe Thunderstorm Warning"
    FLASH FLOOD WARNING A flood that occurs within a few hours of heavy rainfall, a dam or levee failure, or water released from an ice jam
    FLOOD WARNING Expected inundation of a normally dry area near a stream or other watercourse; OR unusually severe ponding of water expected
    RIVER FLOOD WARNING Expected flooding of main stem rivers (such as the Merrimack, Charles, Connecticut, etc.)
    COASTAL FLOOD WARNING Widespread coastal flooding expected within 12 hours; more than just typical overwash