National Weather Service updates cold weather alerts, replacing ‘wind chill’ terminology

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) — The National Weather Service (NWS) has introduced new terminology for cold weather advisories in Wisconsin, replacing the term “wind chill” with “cold” as of October 1. This change is aimed at improving clarity and communication during dangerous cold conditions.

Previously, NWS issued “Wind Chill Watch,” “Wind Chill Warning,” and “Wind Chill Advisory” alerts when hazardous cold was expected. Now, the new alerts will be “Extreme Cold Watch,” “Extreme Cold Warning,” and “Cold Weather Advisory.”

The updated alerts are defined as follows:

• Cold Weather Advisory: Issued when air temperatures or wind chills drop below -20°F for northeast Wisconsin and -25°F for Langlade County, central, and western Wisconsin.
• Extreme Cold Watch: Issued when air temperatures or wind chills may drop below -30°F for northeast Wisconsin and -35°F for Langlade County, central, and western Wisconsin.
• Extreme Cold Warning: Issued when forecasters have high confidence that air temperatures or wind chills will reach -30°F to -35°F or lower.

The new system allows for advisories to be issued on calm nights when temperatures fall below -20°F, even without significant wind. Previously, alerts were only issued if wind speeds exceeded five miles per hour and temperature criteria were met.

Kurt Kotenberg, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with NWS Green Bay, explained that the changes address regional differences in weather patterns. For example, Rhinelander and Green Bay had the same thresholds for cold warnings since the 1990s. The updated criteria make the thresholds colder in northern Wisconsin, aiming to reduce the number of advisories while focusing on extreme events.

Kotenberg emphasized that the new terminology better communicates the risks associated with extreme cold, helping the public understand the severity. Frostbite is possible within 30 minutes in such conditions.

The changes make the alerts more comparable to summer’s excessive heat warnings, where the heat index exceeds 100°F. For the latest forecasts and real-time alerts, residents are encouraged to download the free Storm Team 5 App.

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