An ice storm warning is a hazardous weather statement issued by the Weather Forecast Offices of the

National Weather Service The National Weather Service (NWS) is an Government agency, agency of the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government that is tasked with providing weather forecasts, warnings of hazardous weather, and other weathe ...

in the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

which indicates that

freezing rain Freezing rain is rain maintained at temperatures below melting point, freezing by the ambient air mass that causes freezing on contact with surfaces. Unlike rain and snow mixed, a mixture of rain and snow or ice pellets, freezing rain is made en ...

produces a significant and possibly damaging accumulation of

ice Ice is water that is frozen into a solid state, typically forming at or below temperatures of 0 ° C, 32 ° F, or 273.15 K. It occurs naturally on Earth, on other planets, in Oort cloud objects, and as interstellar ice. As a naturally oc ...

on surfaces. The criteria for this warning vary from state to state, but typically an ice storm warning will be issued any time more than of ice at peak is expected to accumulate in an area, else a freezing rain or drizzle advisory is issued; in some areas, the criterion is instead. Prior to October 2017, a freezing rain advisory or freezing drizzle advisory was issued when a small amount of icing was possible. In

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

, a freezing rain warning has the same meaning.

Example of an ice storm warning


650 
WWUS41 KRLX 140913
WSWRLX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Charleston WV
413 AM EST Sun Feb 14 2021

WVZ013>016-018-020-024>026-029>031-141715-
/O.UPG.KRLX.WS.A.0004.210215T0600Z-210216T1800Z/
/O.NEW.KRLX.IS.W.0002.210215T0600Z-210216T1500Z/
Lincoln-Putnam-Kanawha-Roane-Calhoun-Doddridge-Mingo-Logan-Boone-
Gilmer-Lewis-Harrison-
Including the cities of Harts, Alum Creek, Hamlin, Teays Valley, 
Hurricane, Charleston, South Charleston, Saint Albans, Spencer, 
Grantsville, West Union, Williamson, Logan, Chapmanville, Man, 
Madison, Glenville, Weston, Clarksburg, and Bridgeport
413 AM EST Sun Feb 14 2021

...ICE STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM MONDAY TO 10 AM EST
TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Significant icing expected. Total snow accumulations of 
  up to two inches and ice accumulations of two tenths to one 
  quarter of an inch.

* WHERE...Portions of central, northern and southern West 
  Virginia.

* WHEN...From 1 AM Monday to 10 AM EST Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the
  ice. Travel could be nearly impossible. The hazardous conditions
  could impact the morning commute.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There could be a break in the freezing rain
  Monday afternoon and evening if temperatures manage to rise 
  briefly above freezing. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Travel is strongly discouraged. If you must travel, keep an extra
flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an
emergency. Prepare for possible power outages. 

Additional information can be found at
https://www.weather.gov/rlx as well as on our Facebook and
Twitter pages.

&&

$$

References

External links

National Weather Service

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Meteorological Service of Canada
{{SevWea nav Weather warnings and advisories

Example of an ice storm warning

See also

References

External links