Current Dacula Weather

Criteria for Watches Warnings and Advisories

WATCHES	A Watch tells you that conditions are favorable and there is a pretty good chance that the event may happen. When a watch is issued begin making preparations for the upcoming event. Listen to your local media to know when warnings are issued. Watches are intended to heighten public awareness of the situation.
WARNINGS	A warning means that a certain weather event is IMMINENT. Measures should be taken to safeguard life and property IMMEDIATELY.
ADVISORIES	Advisories are issued when events are expected to remain below the warning criteria, but still cause significant inconvenience. Most common in association with snow events.

SNOW ADVISORY: A Snow Advisory will be issued when 3-5 inches is expected to fall. *Check with your NWS office for local snowfall requirements.
BLOWING SNOW ADVISORY: A Blowing Snow advisory will be posted for events in which visibility is intermittently 1/4 mile or less.
FREEZING RAIN / FREEZING DRIZZLE ADVISORY: This requires that hazardous driving conditions be taking place and/or up to 1/4 inch of freezing rain on tree branches and/or if power lines break.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY: Issued when, within the next 24 hours, there is a high probability of enough snow, sleet, or ice to cause inconvenience, but not enough to warrant a warning.
WINTER STORM WATCH: Issued when there is at least a 50 percent chance for winter storm conditions occurring in the next 12 to 48 hours. Winter storm conditions include an accumulation of at least a half inch of sleet, and/or a significant accumulation (1/4 inch or more) of ice due to freezing rain, and/or heavy snow accumulation. Snow accumulations must be at least 2 inches ( except 3 inches in the Northeast Georgia Mountains ) within a 12-hour period, or at least 4 inches in a 24-hour period.
WINTER STORM WARNING: Issued when there is at least an 80 percent chance for winter storm conditions occurring within the next 24 hours. Winter storm conditions include an accumulation of at least a half inch of sleet, and/or a significant accumulation (1/4 inch or more) of ice due to freezing rain, and/or heavy snow accumulation. Snow accumulations must be at least 2 inches ( except 3 inches in the Northeast Georgia Mountains ) within a 12-hour period, or at least 4 inches in a 24-hour period.
BLIZZARD WARNING: Issued when there is at least an 80 percent chance that wind and snow will combine to produce blizzard conditions within the next 24 hours. Bizzard conditions consist of sustained wind speeds (or gusts) of at least 35 mph, and considerable falling or blowing snow causing a reduction of visibilities to less than 1/4 mile for at least 3 hours.


BLIZZARD WATCH: Issued when there is at least a 50 percent chance for blizzard conditions within the next 12 to 48 hours. Bizzard conditions consist of sustained wind speeds (or gusts) of at least 35 mph, and considerable falling or blowing snow causing a reduction of visibilities to less than 1/4 mile for at least 3 hours.

ICE STORM WARNING: Issued when there is at least an 80 percent chance that freezing rain will result in the accumulation of at least 1/4 inch of ice within the next 24 hours.
HEAVY SNOW WARNING: A Heavy Snow Warning will be issued if 6 or more inches of snow is expected in a 12 hour period. (Wind chill and Frost/Freeze products are found in the non-precipitation section).

TORNADO WATCH: A Tornado Watch will be issued when conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) is the sole agency responsible for issuing a watch. A watch covers several thousands of square miles and generally lasts from two to six hours. Keep an eye on the sky for changing conditions and make preparations in case a weather warning is issued.
TORNADO WARNING: When a Tornado Warning is issued, tornadoes are occurring, imminent, or has has been spotted or detected by radar. There is imminent danger for people in the area warned. Issued by a local NWS office, the size of the warning area is generally the size of one or two counties and usually lasts less than an hour. Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls. Put as many walls between you and the tornado as possible on the lowest floor of your building. If you do not have a basement, seek shelter in an interior bathroom or closet. Get under something sturdy. Protect your head. Stay away from mobile homes. Get out of your vehicle. If there is no safe shelter, lie flat in the nearest ditch or ravine with your hands shielding your head.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch will be issued when conditions are favorable for development of severe thunderstorms. While not anticipated, tornadoes may occur in the watch area. The Storms Prediction Center (SPC) is the sole agency responsible for issuing a watch. A watch covers several thousands of square miles and generally lasts from two to six hours. Keep an eye on the sky for changing conditions and make preparations in case a weather warning is issued.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING: A warning issued to warn the public of an existing, imminent or suspected severe thunderstorm. The National Weather Service (NWS) defines a severe thunderstorm as having winds 50 kts (58 mph) or hail greater than 1" in diameter (about quarter-sized). (A storm that spawns a tornado is obviously also considered severe.) There is imminent danger for people in the area warned. Issued by a local NWS office, the size of the warning area is generally the size of one or two counties and usually lasts less than an hour. Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls. Put as many walls between you and the tornado as possible on the lowest floor of your building. If you do not have a basement, seek shelter in an interior bathroom or closet. Get under something sturdy. Protect your head. Stay away from mobile homes. Get out of your vehicle. If there is no safe shelter, lie flat in the nearest ditch or ravine with your hands shielding your head.
FLOOD WATCH: A Flood Watch will be issued for situations related to widespread general flooding.
FLOOD WARNING: For all areas other than "forecast points"... used to issue a flood warning in situations where flooding is expected to occur more than 6 hours after a heavy rain event. Also...issued when flash flooding persists longer than 6 hours.
RIVER FLOOD WARNING: Issued when the river stage at a "forecast point" is expected to reach or exceed bankfull (flood stage), causing the inundation of a normally dry area.
FLASH FLOOD WATCH: A Flash Flood Watch will be issued for serious situations in which life and/or property are in danger. Flash Flood watch covers flash flooding, widespread urban and small stream, and headwater flood events.
FLASH FLOOD WARNING: A warning issued to warn the public that flash flooding is imminent or in progress. A flash flood is a flood which is caused by heavy or excessive rainfall in a short period of time, generally less than 6 hours. Also, a dam failure can cause a flash flood.
URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOOD WARNING/ADVISORY: An Urban and Small Streams Flood Warnings or Advisories are issued when flooding of small streams, streets, and low-lying areas, such as railroad underpasses and urban storm drains, is occurring.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT: Issued to convey information about an upcoming weather event that is expected to be significant, but not meeting criteria for a Watch, Warning, or Advisory.
FIRE WEATHER WATCH: A fire weather watch means that there is high potential for the development of critical fire weather conditions in 12 to 96 hours. Conditions generally include very low humidities (25% or lower) and high winds (above 15-20mph).

WIND CHILL ADVISORY: Issued when, within the next 24 hours, there is a high probability of wind chill readings below zero degrees, but not low enough to warrant a warning.
WIND CHILL WARNING: Issued when there is at least an 80 percent chance that wind chill values will drop to at least 15 degrees below zero within the next 24 hours.
HIGH WIND WATCH: Issued when, during the next 48 hours, there is at least a 50 percent chance of sustained wind speeds of at least 36 mph lasting 1 hour or more. Also issued when there is a 50 percent chance of a wind gust of 45 mph.
FROST OUTLOOK: Issued when, within the next 24 to 48 hours, there is a moderate probability (50% - 70%) of significant frost. These are issued on, or after March 20th in Spring, and prior to November 20th in Autumn. In Autumn, the issuance of Frost Outlooks will be discontinued prior to November 20 if temperatures fall below 28 degrees over a wide area.
HIGH WIND WARNING: Issued when, during the next 24 hours, there is at least an 80 percent chance of sustained wind speeds of at least 36 mph lasting 1 hour or more. Also issued when there is an 80 percent chance of a wind gust of at least 45 mph.
WIND ADVISORY: Issued when, during the next 24 hours, there is at least an 80 percent chance of wind speeds 20 to 35 mph lasting for one hour or longer...OR when wind gusts of at least 35 mph are expected.
DENSE FOG ADVISORY: Issued when, during the next 24 hours, there is at least an 80 percent chance of widespread visibility restrictions of 1/4 mile or less.
HEAT ADVISORY: Issued when there is at least an 80 percent chance that daytime heat indices will exceed 104 degrees AND nighttime lows will be no lower than 75 degrees for at least 2 consecutive days.
EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING: Issued when there is at least an 80 percent chance that daytime heat indices will exceed 109 degrees AND nighttime lows will be no lower than 75 degrees for at least 2 consecutive days.
FROST ADVISORY: Issued when, within the next 24 hours, there is a high probability (at least 80%) of significant frost. These are issued on, or after March 20th in Spring, and prior to November 20th in Autumn. In Autumn, the issuance of Frost Advisories will be discontinued prior to November 20 if temperatures fall below 28 degrees over a wide area.
FREEZE ADVISORY: A Freeze Advisory will be issued for widespread temperatures of 32 or colder are forecast during the growing season (frost may or may not occur).
FREEZE WARNING: Issued when, during the next 24 hours, there is a high degree of confidence (at least 80%) that temperatures will drop to 32 degrees (F.) or lower. These are issued on, or after March 20th in Spring, and prior to November 20th in Autumn. In Autumn, the issuance of Freeze Warnings will be discontinued prior to November 20 if temperatures fall below 28 degrees over a wide area. After November 20th, if temperatures are expected to fall low enough to cause damage (i.e. broken water pipes), a Special Weather Statement (SPS) will be issued.

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY: A Small Craft Advisory is issued for sustained winds 25-33 knots AND/OR Seas > 7 feet within 12 hours.
GALE WARNING: A Gale Warning is issued for 1-minute sustained surface winds in the range 34 kt (39 mph or 63 kph) to 47 kt (54 mph or 87 kph) inclusive, either predicted or occurring not directly associated with tropical cyclones.
STORM WARNING: A Storm Warning is issued for 1-minute sustained surface winds of 48 kt (55 mph or 88 kph) or greater, either predicted or occurring, not directly associated with tropical cyclones.
TROPICAL STORM WATCH: An announcement that a tropical storm poses or tropical storm conditions pose a threat to coastal areas generally within 36 hours. A tropical storm watch should normally not be issued if the system is forecast to attain hurricane strength.
TROPICAL STORM WARNING: A warning for tropical storm conditions including sustained winds within the range of 34 to 63 kt (39 to 73 mph or 63 to 118 kph) that are expected in a specified coastal area within 24 hours or less.
HURRICANE WATCH: An announcement of specific coastal areas that a hurricane or an incipient hurricane condition poses a possible threat, generally within 36 hours.
HURRICANE WARNING: A warning that sustained winds 64 kt (74 mph or 119 kph) or higher associated with a hurricane are expected in a specified coastal area in 24 hours or less. A hurricane warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continue, even though winds may be less than hurricane force.
SPECIAL MARINE WARNING: A Special Marine Warning is issued for a brief/sudden occurrence of sustained wind or frequent gusts > 34 knots, usually associated with thunderstorms.
INLAND TROPICAL STORM WARNING: Issued when, during the next 24 hours, there is a least an 80 percent chance of wind speeds between 39 and 73 mph occurring in association with a land-falling tropical storm.

A warning means that a certain weather event is IMMINENT. Measures should be taken to safeguard life and property IMMEDIATELY.

Advisories are issued when events are expected to remain below the warning criteria, but still cause significant inconvenience. Most common in association with snow events.