What is an ‘Extreme Cold Warning'?
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Counties in multiple states including ones in Arkansas are under an Extreme Cold Warning through Thursday as a winter storm moves through the area.
But, what exactly is an Extreme Cold Warning?
The National Weather Service says an Extreme Cold Warning is issued in Arkansas when the feels like temperature drops below -10°F. They are issued within 24 hours of the expected temperature drop.
However, the criteria for issuance of these watches, warnings and advisories vary by local NWS offices.
Extreme Cold Warnings, along with Cold Weather Advisories and Extreme Cold Watches were introduced by NWS in October 2024 to replace 'Wind Chill Watches' and 'Wind Chill Warnings'.
NWS said those changes were made to allow them to communicate that cold is dangerous with and without wind.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders declares state of emergency ahead of Arkansas winter storm
The changes were part of the NWS's 'Hazard Simplification' initiative with the goal of a 'simplifying a suite of cold weather forecast products to improve messaging of winter hazards and provide better decision support.'
Here were the other changes made to cold warnings:
Extreme Cold Consolidation and Renaming
Wind Chill Watch was renamed to Extreme Cold Watch
Wind Chill Warning was renamed to Extreme Cold Warning
Wind Chill Advisory was renamed to Cold Weather Advisory
Freeze Consolidation
Hard Freeze Watch was renamed to Freeze Watch
Hard Freeze Warning was consolidated to Freeze Warning
The National Weather Service in Tulsa said the Extreme Cold Warning was issued for expected 'dangerously cold wind chills as low as 15 below' through Thursday.
Extreme cold is dangerous, the National Weather Service says, because it can quickly cause frostbite and hypothermia. Hypothermia occurs when your body temperature drops below 95 degrees and requires immediate attention.
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