What is the difference between a winter weather advisory, clock and warning?

(WKBN) – Several US states are facing the first snow showers of the season this week.

Before we know it, local offices of the National Weather Service will start issuing winter weather warnings, winter storm watches and winter storm warnings. What do these alerts mean, how are they different, and how should you prepare if one is issued?

If a winter weather advisory is issued, wintry elements are expected throughout the area, but conditions are not expected to be dangerous enough to meet the warning criteria. If a recommendation is issued, you should be aware and prepared for travel difficulties. Winter weather warnings are typically issued within 36 hours of the winter weather event.

When a winter storm warning is issued, conditions are favorable for a significant winter storm event, whether it be heavy snow, sleet, or ice. Clocks are usually issued within 36 hours of the winter weather event to give you time to prepare.

A winter storm warning means forecasters are fairly confident of a strong winter storm within the next 24 hours. The storm is likely to produce heavy snow, sleet or freezing rain, resulting in significant impact and hazardous travel conditions.

A winter weather warning is issued by your local national weather service and is based on different criteria depending on your location.

For example, in Cleveland, a winter storm warning is issued when 6 inches or more of snow is expected within 12 hours. In Atlanta, the criteria are much lower. The National Weather Service there is issuing a winter storm warning when 2 inches of snow is expected in the area.

As of Sunday, the National Weather Service had several active alerts. A frost watch was established from Oklahoma and Kansas east through Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Parts of Colorado were under a freeze warning, as was southern Wisconsin. Northern Wisconsin expected more severe conditions, and some counties were under a winter storm warning.

You can view all of the alerts and warnings for your area on the National Weather Service website.