National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

Beginning December 8, 2009 and ending on May 29, 2010...the Lincoln National Weather Service Forecast Office (WFO Lincoln, IL) will begin modifying the Winter Weather (WSW) and Non-Precipitation (NPW) formats to produce experimental bulleted watch...warning and advisory products with a format similar to Severe Thunderstorm and Flash Flood Warnings.

These formats will be easier for users to read and quickly gather vital information during hazardous winter weather and non-precipitation events. During the test period...WFO Lincoln, IL may temporarily revert back to the current format to maintain mission critical warning services.

Products that will utilize this experimental format include:

Watches
Winter Storm Watch (WSW)
Blizzard Watch (WSW)
Wind Chill Watch (WSW)
High Wind Watch (NPW)

Warnings
Winter Storm Warning (WSW)
Blizzard Warning (WSW)
Ice Storm Warning (WSW)
Wind Chill Warning (WSW)
High Wind Warning (NPW)

Advisories
Winter Weather Advisory (WSW)
Freezing Rain Advisory (WSW)
Wind Chill Advisory (WSW)
WInd Advisory (NPW)
Freezing Fog Advisory (NPW)
Dense Fog Advisory (NPW)

Click here for the latest Winter Storm products (WSW) in effect.
Click here for the latest Non-Precipitation products (NPW) in effect.

A product description document (PDD) for these experimental products, including a list of other affected WFOs, and examples of the bullet formatted WSW and NPW products are available at:

     http://products.weather.gov/viewliste.php

Examples of Winter Storm Warning with current format (left) and the experimental bulleted format (right). Click the image for an expanded view.

Public comments are requested through May 29, 2010 at:

     http://www.weather.gov/survey/nws-survey.php?code=wswnpw

Upon completion of this experimental period, the NWS will evaluate all comments to determine whether or not to proceed with the full implementation of bulleted WSW/NPW products nationwide.

If you have comments or questions regarding these products, please contact:

     Chris Miller, Warning Coordination Meteorologist
     National Weather Service
     Lincoln, IL
     chris.miller@noaa.gov