KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Some changes are coming to the way the National Weather Service issues some of our winter warnings.

One of the changes is Freeze/Freeze Alerts, as advisories and warnings are only issued between May 1 and September 30.

Tennessee implements these dates as a growing season and as a way to draw attention to a more abnormal period of colder weather.

One caveat is that southeastern Kentucky residents are excluded from the changes because the state of Kentucky has not adopted the new method.

“Tennessee agrees to these dates for the main growing season and Kentucky has not yet agreed to that, but things could change for them in the future depending on how this goes,” warns coordinating meteorologist from the National Weather Service Morristown Anthony. » said Cavallucci.

So for those looking for that extra reminder, tune into the WVLT First Alert weather app as we give you the first alert on colder temperatures.

Freeze/freeze alerts aren’t the only ones that change as wind chill advisories and warnings disappear.

In its place will be extreme cold watches and warnings. This will combine both freezing temperatures and wind chill.

“We went from the wind chill advisory to extreme cold,” Cavallucci said. “So extreme cold advisory and extreme cold warning. This is when your life is in danger, especially in a warning situation. But we will only issue them if the temperature reaches zero degrees or much lower.”

Cold weather advisories will be issued when temperatures approach 5 degrees, an extreme cold watch and warning will be issued when we are 5 degrees below zero or lower.

“Winter conditions, when we talk about warnings, are slower to develop, but you can still prepare in advance,” Cavallucci said. “During winter storm watches, that’s when you’ll want to go buy all the bread and milk, not during the warning. »

The criteria for a winter storm watch and warning remains the same, but for those in East Tennessee, it’s something to keep an eye on as our cold season approaches.

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