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NWS Grand Junction
Winter Warning and Advisory Criteria
*(Specific Criteria for these winter events vary from place to place across the U.S., depending on local needs and geography. These definitions apply only to the NWS Grand Junction Area of Responsibility .)
Type of Snow Event Valley Locations Mountain Locations
Heavy Snow Warning > 6 inches in 24 hours < 12 inches in 24 hours
Winter Weather Advisory 3 - 6 inches in 24 hours 5 -12 inches in 24 hours
Blizzard Warning Snow and/or blowing snow reducing prevaling visibility to < 1/4 mile, and sustained winds > 35 MPH for > 3 hours
  • Snow Event is defined as lasting < 24 hours; forecaster discretion for when an "event" starts and stops, and when one event ends and another begins.
  • Winter Storm Warning is used when heavy snow, or a combination of hazardous winter phenomena, is expected.
  • Mountain Locations are defined as areas roughly above 7500 feet. Valley locations imply areas below that elevation.
Type of Snow Event Valley Locations Mountain Locations
High Wind Warning > 40 MPH for > 1 hour
> 58 MPH any duration 		> 50 MPH for > 1 hour
> 75 MPH any duration
Wind Advisory > 30 - 39 MPH for > 1 hour
> 45 - 57 MPH any duration 		> 40 - 49 MPH for > 1 hour
> 58 - 74 MPH any duration
Sustained in black
Gusts in red
 
Wind Chill Warning WCT < -25° F WCT < -35° F
Wind Chill Advisory WCT -18° to -24° F NA

WCT - Wind Chill Temperature

Other Advisories and Warnings Valid for ALL locations
Dense Fog or Smoke Advisory Visibility reduced to < 1/4 mile over a widespread area
Dust Storm Warning Visibility < 1/4 mile with winds > 25 MPH
Blowing Dust Advisory Visibility < 1 mile and > 1/4 mile with winds > 25 MPH
Freeze Warning Temperature drops to < 32° F for the first time at the beginning or end of the growing season


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