INL WEATHER HAZARDS LIST


Convective Weather Products
Tornado Alert – Issued to give additional information about the INL from NWS issued Tornado warnings.
Lightning Statement – Forecast for lightning to be on or near the INL.
Lightning Alert – Lightning is imminent or within 10 miles of the INL.
All Clear Lightning Statement – No lightning strikes have occurred within the INL the past 30 minutes                                
                                                        after the issue of a Lightning Alert.   
Severe Thunderstorm Statement - Forecast for thunderstorms with strong wind gusts and/or ¾” hail to 
                                                              be on or near the INL. 
Severe Thunderstorm Alert – Thunderstorms imminent or occurring on the INL with wind gusts over 55 
                                                     mph and/or ¾” hail. 

Winter Weather Products
Snow/Blowing Snow Statement - Sustained winds above 20 mph during or within a few days after a 
                                                            snow storm and/or drifting snow.
Wind Chill Statement - Wind chill temperatures fall below -30 deg F.

Non-Precipitation Products
Wind Statement - Sustained winds 25-39 mph and/or gusts over 45 mph; OR 
           Sustained winds forecast above 40 mph. 
Wind Alert - Sustained winds imminent or above 40 mph and/or gusts over 55 mph across the INL. 
Blowing Dust Statement - Sustained winds above 20 mph within a few weeks after a wild fire on or near 
                                               the INL.
NOAA INL Mesonet Statement – Three or more main facility Mesonet stations are inoperable due to 
                                                           weather or transmission problems.

Fire Weather Products
Fire Weather Statement – Scattered dry thunderstorms are possible on or near the INL;  OR
                                               Wind gusts above 30 mph and RH below 15%. 
                  Issued generally from June-October and when fuel moistures are low.

Note:  NOAA INL weather alerts/statements are analogous to NWS watches/warnings.  Statements are issued because weather conditions are forecast to become favorable to occur.  Alerts are issued because weather conditions are imminent or already occurring, and/or significant.   NWS watches/warnings will always supersede any NOAA INL weather alert/statement. However, NOAA INL weather alerts/statements may be issued at any time to give additional weather information regarding the INL.
  
            

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