Alerts - The Central New York Weather Center

A watch alerts you to potential severe weather approaching your area. It doesn't mean severe weather will occur, however you should be prepared for the weather to deteriorate rapidly.

A warning states the severe weather is imminent or present in your vicinity. You should immediately take precautions to protect yourself and your family.

Alert Definitions

Blizzard

Watch | Warning

Blowing Snow

Advisory

Dense Fog

Advisory

Flash Flood

Watch | Warning | Advisory

Fog

Advisory

Freeze

Advisory | Warning

Freezing Drizzle

Advisory

Freezing Rain

Advisory

Frost

Advisory | Warning

Heat

Advisory | Warning

Heavy Snow

Watch | Warning

High Wind

Watch | Warning | Advisory

Ice Storm

Warning

Lake Effect Snow

Watch | Warning | Advisory

River Flood

Warning

Severe Thunderstorm

Watch | Warning

Snow

Advisory

Tornado

Watch | Warning

Urban Flood

Advisory

Wind

Advisory

Wind Chill

Advisory | Warning

Winter Storm

Watch | Warning | Advisory

Winter Weather

Advisory

Sky Conditions

The average sky cover is part of the daily forecast. This percentage is the amount of sky expected to be covered by opaque clouds, the type that do not allow other clouds, or blue sky to be visible. The following table lists descriptive terms for sky conditions:

TERMINOLOGY	AVERAGE SKY COVER
Cloudy	90-100 percent
Mostly Cloudy	70-80 percent
Partly Cloudy/Partly Sunny	30-60 percent
Mostly Clear/Mostly Sunny	10-30 percent
Clear/Sunny	0-10 percent
Fair	Few clouds and no precipitation or extreme weather

Precipitation Chances

The forecast for the probability of precipitation is one of the least understood elements of forecasting. The probability of precipitation has the following features:

	The likelihood of precipitation is stated as a percentage.
	A measurable amount is .01" or more. More than .01" usually produces enough runoff for puddles to form.
	The probability is for a specified time period.
	The probability forecast is for any point in the forecast area.

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