ONLINE WEATHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

To complement the Daily Summary for Wednesday, 21 April 1999

PUBLIC WATCHES and WARNINGS FOR WINDS

The strong winds that have buffeted various regions of the country during the last several weeks have necessitated the National Weather Service to issue statements to the public that pertain to winds that may not necessarily be associated with local convective storms (i.e., thunderstorms) nor tropical systems (e.g., hurricanes). One segment of the public targeted are those who drive "high profile vehicles", such as tractor trailers or campers, that can be tipped over by the winds.

• A "high wind warning" is issued to warn the public that sustained winds of 40 mph or greater are expected to last for 1 hour or longer. This warning is also used if winds of 58 mph or greater are anticipated for any time duration.
• A "wind advisory" is issued to acquaint the public of anticipated sustained wind speeds of 30 mph or greater lasting one hour or longer, or gusts to 45 mph for any duration.

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Prepared by Edward J. Hopkins, Ph.D., email hopkins@meteor.wisc.edu
© Copyright, 1999, The American Meteorological Society.