Pittsburgh, PA – This winter, the National Weather Service (NWS) will eliminate wind chill warnings and advisories across the United States, affecting how cold weather alerts are issued in the Midwest. The change comes as part of the NWS Hazard Simplification Project, which aims to streamline and clarify weather warnings for the public.
According to the NWS, starting in winter 2024, wind chill watches, warnings, and advisories will be replaced by two key alerts: Cold Weather Advisories and Extreme Cold Warnings. Cold Weather Advisories will be issued for temperatures or wind chills between -10°F and -15°F in most Midwest areas, with colder regions like Mercer, Venango, and Forest counties seeing advisories at -15°F to -25°F. Extreme Cold Warnings will be reserved for conditions of -20°F or lower.
These new criteria are intended to make it easier for residents to understand the risks of dangerous cold without the confusion of multiple overlapping terms. Residents are encouraged to stay updated through local weather reports as these changes take effect nationwide.