Special to The Hays Daily News

The National Weather Service office in Goodland this week is offering various topics relating to winter weather in a Tri-State Winter Weather Preparedness Week. The goal is to remind residents and visitors that it's time to gear up for winter weather and review safety procedures.

Public Information Statements will be released each day. This information will appear on the Web site weather.gov/goodland and will also play on NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards transmitters located in Gem (162.400 MHz), Lenora (162.425 MHz), Trenton, Neb., (162.500 MHz), Wray, Colo., (162.475 MHz) and Bethune, Colo., (162.525 MHz).

These statements will air once or twice each hour throughout the day. Here is the schedule of topics that are planned the remainder of the week:

* Today: The meaning of winter watches, warnings and advisories

* Wednesday: High winds and blizzards

* Thursday: Windchill, frostbite and hypothermia

* Friday: Wrap-up

Following is a list of winter weather terms:

Blizzard warning

Sustained or frequent wind gusts of 35 mph or more, and falling or blowing snow, and visibility below º mile for at least 3 hours.

Ice storm warning

Damaging freezing rain accumulations over º inch.

Winter storm warning

Any or all of the following are imminent or occurring:

* Heavy snow: Accumulations of 6 or more inches in 12 hours, 8 or more inches in 24 hours.

* Sleet: Accumulations of ½ inch or more.

* Heavy snow and blowing snow: But conditions remaining below blizzard criteria.

* And if any of the above occur with freezing rain accumulations over º inch.

Wind chill warning

Wind chill temperatures expected to be hazardous to life within several minutes of exposure. Local criteria: Wind chill 25 below zero or less and wind speed at least 10 mph.

Freeze warning

Surface air temperature at or below 28 for at least an hour. Used primarily for events at the beginning and end of the growing season.

High wind warning

Sustained winds at or exceeding 40 mph for at least an hour, or any wind gust at least 58 mph.

Dust storm warning

Sustained winds of 25 mph or greater resulting in widespread visibility below º mile in blowing dust.

Freezing rain advisory

Lighter freezing precipitation with accumulations under º inch.

Winter weather advisory

Any or all of the following are imminent or occurring...

* Snow: Accumulations of 3-5 inches either imminent or occurring.

* Sleet: Accumulations under ½ inches either imminent or occurring.

* Blowing snow: Blowing snow occasionally reducing visibility between º and 1 mile with sustained winds less than 35 mph.

* Snow and blowing snow: Falling and blowing snow occasionally reducing visibility between º and 1 mile with sustained winds less than 35 mph.

* And if any of the above occur with freezing rain accumulations under º inch.

Wind chill advisory

Wind chill temperatures expected to be a significant inconvenience to life with prolonged exposure. Local criteria: Wind chill between 15 below zero and 24 below zero and wind speed at least 10 mph.

Frost advisory

Surface air temperature between 29 and 36 degrees with light winds and expected frost. Used primarily for events at the beginning and end of the growing season.

Wind advisory

Sustained winds of 30 to 39 mph for three hours, or any wind gust at least 45 mph.

Blowing dust advisory

Any sustained wind resulting in widespread visibility between º and 1 mile in blowing dust.

Dense fog advisory

Fog reducing visibility to º mile or less over a widespread area.

Winter storm watch

Issued when winter storm conditions (blizzard, heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, heavy sleet) are expected within 12 to 48 hours, occasionally beyond 48 hours.

High wind watch

Issued when high wind warning conditions (sustained winds at or exceeding 40 mph for at least 1 hour, or any wind gust at least 58 mph) are expected within 12 to 48 hours, occasionally beyond 48 hours.

Snow flurries

Light snow falling for short durations. No accumulation or light dusting expected.

Snow pellets (also called graupel)

Precipitation consisting of white, opaque, approximately round ice particles having a snow-like structure. Snow pellets are crisp and easily crushed. (They look like tiny pellets of Styrofoam.)

Snow showers

Snow falling at varying intensities for brief periods of time. Some accumulation is possible.

Snow squalls

Brief, intense snow showers accompanied by strong, gusty winds. Accumulation can be significant. Snow squalls are best known in the Great Lakes region.

Blowing snow

Wind-driven snow reducing visibility and often causing significant drifting. Blowing snow might be falling snow and/or loose snow on the ground picked up by the wind.

Sleet (also called ice pellets)

Precipitation consisting of transparent or translucent pellets of ice. Sleet forms when either rain, or largely melted snowflakes, (re)freeze before reaching the ground. Sleet usually bounces when hitting a surface and does not stick to objects; however, it can accumulate and cause a hazard to motorists.

Freezing rain

Rain falling onto a surface, the temperature of which is below freezing, resulting in a coating or glaze of ice on surfaces such as trees, cars, and roads. Even small accumulations create a significant hazard.