National Weather Service adjusting winter weather warnings

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It may not feel like it, but winter is around the corner.

Chattanooga on average receives 3.6 inches of snow per year. 

It is rare a major snowstorm shuts down the Scenic City, however, the National Weather Service is preparing for the next one. 

This is why the weather service has updated their winter storm warning guidelines. 

Copperhill (from January 2022) /Bill Banzhaf

Before, a certain amount of snow had to fall within 12 to 24 hours for an area to be placed under a Winter Storm Warning.

Now, a winter storm warning will be issued without time restrictions as long as the required amount of snow falls.

One of the goals of the National Weather Service in these updated winter storm warnings is to prevent roads from turning into absolute gridlock during snowstorms.

Anthony Cavallucci, a warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Morristown, said, “Impacts can be road closures or dangerous traveling conditions. Life threatening things that can occur.”

Here is a map of what the winter storm guidelines look like in our area from the National Weather Service.

A Winter Storm Warning requirement map across the News 12 area. GA/AL needs two inches, TN/NC needs three inches, Eastern Polk/Monroe needs four inches. (Courtesy: National Weather Service)

The different shades of blue shows what is required to fall to be placed under a winter storm warning during one event.

All of our North Georgia and Alabama counties in the lightest blue require two inches of snow.

Most of our Tennessee and North Carolina counties in the medium blue require at least three inches of snow.

The highest peaks of Eastern Polk and Monroe Counties in the darkest blue require at least four inches of snow.

The weather service hopes maps like this can clear up confusion during events.

Cavallucci said, “Folks that live in Chattanooga understand that North Georgia has different criteria than Tennessee, and sometimes that can cause confusion of, “Hey, why is Georgia in a Winter Storm Warning and Tennessee isn’t, they’re expecting the same amount of snowfall.””

They say to remain alert for potential future storms, and heed watches and warnings when they are issued.

The weather service says there’s one big thing everyone will need during the next big snowstorm, outside the traditional milk and bread of course.)

Cavallucci said, “Driving is just very hazardous during that time, so let the road crews do their thing. Treat the roads, and in a day or two you can get back to what you normally do. So I think patience is the most important thing to have during winter weather.”