There’s a Big Change to Weather Warnings in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin

The National Weather Service (NWS) has revealed that this coming winter, there will be a significant change to designations regarding extremely cold air.

NWS confirmed this week that the terms "Wind Chill Watch" and "Wind Chill Warning" will no longer be issued starting with the 2024-2025 season. Instead, there is a new, more specific designation that will be used going forward. Even though it's been an abnormally warm start to fall for Tri-Staters, you already know we'll be seeing these pop up once again in practically no time.

Effectively immediately, there are now three possible advisories that will be issued when cold weather poses a risk to health, wellbeing, or even life: Cold Weather Advisory, an Extreme Cold Watch, and/or an Extreme Cold Warning.

The types of weather that would trigger these warnings is dependent not only on conditions, obviously, but location and timeframe. For example, in Iowa, an Extreme Cold Watch will be issued when the temperature feels like -35 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. It would turn into an Extreme Cold Warning should the threat last for the next 12 to 36 hours, per WGN.

Down south, where conditions are generally warmer, the threshold for the warnings is understandably lower. Some southern states will need to show signs of it feeling like -30 degrees or colder to be put under an Extreme Cold Watch/Warning.

A Cold Weather Advisory will be issued when temperatures feel more like -25 degrees or colder.

I'll also take this opportunity to remind (or maybe inform you) of the difference between watches and warnings. Working in radio, you learn the difference pretty quickly. In the case of a severe thunderstorm:

• A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means the conditions are right for a potentially heavy storm to occur. There's no guarantee it will, but conditions, such as moist air, high winds, and intense cloud cover, are present enough to suggest it's a possibility.
• A Severe Thunderstorm Warning means a heavy storm can/will occur. It is imminent, and you should plan accordingly.

Every year in the Tri-States, we experience some degree of intense cold, be it from a polar vortex or just dry, frigid air. The National Weather Service issues these warnings for people to be further aware that cold air can cause frostbite and hypothermia, the latter of which occurs when your body temperature drops below 95 degrees.

Learn more about the National Weather Service's new designations for cold air via WGN's website and NWS' official website.