Area Spotter Reports

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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
806 AM EDT Mon Oct 26 2026

...Winter Weather Preparedness Week...

The National Weather Service has declared the week of October 26
to October 30 as Winter Weather Preparedness Week. We will be
issuing public information statements concerning many aspects of
winter weather and winter weather preparedness. In advance, we
want to thank our friends in the media for helping to bring this
important safety information to the attention of their viewers,
listeners and readers.

Part 1 of 5 - Winter Weather Basics:

For those who live in New England, winter weather is a part of
life from November through March. Snow, sleet, freezing rain,
cold temperatures and cold wind chill temperatures will be common
occurrences soon. While most of the time these weather elements
are only a nuisance to our daily routines, at times they can
produce hazardous or life-threatening situations for those who
are not prepared.

To alert the public to potentially dangerous winter weather
events or situations, the National Weather Service issues
outlooks, watches, warnings and advisories. You should keep the
following general definitions in mind.

Outlook - A Hazardous Weather Outlook is issued daily by National
          Weather Service offices across the country to alert the
          public to the potential for any hazardous weather
          during the next 7 days, including significant winter
          storms, high wind, coastal flooding, and extreme
          temperatures. Due to the uncertainty in predicting the
          strength and path of a winter storm more than several
          days in advance, the exact impact on the area (if any)
          will not be known. In addition, National Weather
          Service offices may issue Special Weather Statements
          highlighting the potential impact of a major winter
          storm.
          NWS product - Hazardous Weather Outlook.

Watch   - Watches are issued to alert the public that dangerous
          winter conditions are possible within the next 24 to 48
          hours, when forecaster confidence reaches 50 percent.
          Products include, Winter Storm Watches, High Wind
          Watches, and Coastal Flood Watches.

Warning - Warnings are issued to alert the public that dangerous
          winter conditions are likely to occur within the next
          36 hours or are occurring. Forecaster confidence has to
          reach 80 percent or higher. Products include, Winter
          Storm Warning, Ice Storm Warning, Blizzard Warning,
          High Wind Warning, Wind Chill Warning, and Coastal
          Flood Warning.

Advisory- Advisories are issued to alert the public that winter
          conditions are expected to cause a significant
          inconvenience and may be hazardous. If caution is
          exercised, these situations should not be life-
          threatening. Products include, Winter Weather
          Advisory, Wind Advisory and Wind Chill Advisory.

Specific thresholds for advisories, watches and warnings vary by
state. They can be found at

https://www.weather.gov/box/criteria

$$

For the latest updates...please visit our webpage at
www.weather.gov/boston

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