Deadly subzero temperatures don’t just affect people living in more northern climates.
According to the National Weather Service, 124 people died from the common cold in Florida between 1979 and 1999. In December 1989, 25 Floridians died of hypothermia.
This does not include people who died in fires caused by space heaters or other secondary causes.
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To ensure people understand the dangers of winter, the National Weather Service has made several changes to cold weather forecast watches and warnings.
We will explain the meteorological terms you need to know.
National Weather Service gives new name to wind chill watches and warnings
In 2024, the National Weather Service has made the following changes to wind chill watches, warnings, and advisories.
The Wind Cold Warning has been renamed to the Extreme Cold Warning. The Wind Cold Warning has been renamed to the Extreme Cold Warning. Wind Chill Advisory has been renamed to Cold Weather Warning.
Hard freeze watch, warning changed
Hard Freeze Monitoring has been renamed to Freeze Monitoring. Hard freeze warnings have been merged with freeze warnings.
What is a freeze warning?
A freeze warning means that you need to take action.
Freeze advisories are issued when temperatures are expected to remain below 32 degrees for a number of consecutive days.
According to the National Weather Service, this temperature threshold will kill some types of commercial crops and household plants, while prolonged temperatures below 28 degrees can kill most types of commercial crops and household plants. It is said that there is.
What is Freezewatch?
Freezewatch means you need to be prepared.
A Freeze Watch is issued when significant freezing temperatures over a wide area are likely to occur within the next 24 to 36 hours.
According to the National Weather Service, freeze watches are issued in the fall until the end of the growing season and in the spring when the growing season begins.
What is a frost advisory?
A frost advisory means frost-prone areas are expected or occurring and pose a threat to sensitive vegetation.
What is an extreme cold alert?
Originally known as a wind chill watch, an extreme cold watch is issued when dangerously low temperatures or wind chill values are likely to occur.
The National Weather Service advises adjusting your plans to avoid being outdoors during the coldest parts of the day. Make sure your car’s gas tank is at least half full and update your winter survival kit.
What is an extreme cold warning?
Extreme Cold Warnings, originally known as Cold Weather Warnings, are issued when dangerously low temperatures or cold values are expected or occur.
If you are in an area with an extreme cold warning, please refrain from going out. If you must go out, dress in layers, cover exposed skin, and make sure at least one person knows where you are. Please update once you safely arrive at your destination.
What is a cold wave advisory?
Originally known as a Wind Chill Advisory, a Cold Weather Advisory is issued when seasonally low temperatures or wind chill values are expected, or when non-extremely cold values occur.
According to the National Weather Service, dress appropriately and cover exposed skin when going outdoors.
What is windchill?
Wind chill is best understood as “feeling temperature.” When the temperature is low and the wind blows against your exposed skin, you may feel even colder.
“As the wind gets stronger, it pulls more and more heat away from your body, lowering your skin temperature and eventually lowering your internal body temperature,” NOAA said.
“Irrespective of the wind speed, frostbite will not occur if the temperature is below freezing, but hypothermia is still a risk,” the agency added.
Read about the changes the National Weather Service has made to “Cold Region Products”
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How do you prepare for the Florida cold?
The Florida Department of Emergency Management offers the following tips for staying safe during the cold season:
Practice fire safety: Use safe heat sources indoors. Do not use fuel burning devices such as grills. It releases carbon monoxide, a deadly gas. Also, be sure to use heating equipment according to its instructions and be careful of fire. Protect yourself: Dress in layers and remember to wear a hat and gloves. It is important to try to stay out of the wind and stay dry. Protect your pets: If cold weather is expected, bring outdoor pets indoors or give them warm shelter. Protect your plants: Cover them with cold-resistant covers. Protect your pipes: Cover your pipes and allow outdoor faucets to drip slowly to prevent them from freezing and breaking.
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