Winter storm watch

Description

The watch is typically issued 12 to 48 hours before the storm's expected arrival in the given area.

As the event of the storm draws nearer in time and confidence in the occurrence of significant winter weather conditions and accumulation is increased, the weather watch will be upgraded to a winter storm warning or blizzard warning, depending on whether blizzard conditions will be met. If there is considerable confidence in significant ice accumulations with little to no snow, the watch will be upgraded to an ice storm warning. When confidence increases in the occurrence of winter like conditions that are not expected to reach warning or other winter criteria, a winter weather advisory will be issued instead.

A watch could be discontinued altogether if neither warning nor advisory-level conditions are expected to be met and when the possibility of a winter storm fades. Generally, a watch is not issued when only advisory-level conditions are expected. Watches generally go into effect when the chance of meeting warning criteria ranges from 50% to 80% of snow.

References

References

1. Kiehl, Allison. (2026-01-21). "Winter storm watch set for Knoxville and East Tennessee - here's the timing".
2. Service, US Department of Commerce, NOAA, National Weather. "Watch/Warning/Advisory Definitions".
3. Page, NWS Winter Storm Watches and its Warnings. "NWS Winter Storm Watches and Warnings Home Page".
4. Service, US Department of Commerce, NOAA, National Weather. "National Weather Service Expanded Winter Weather Terminology".