No More ‘Wind Chill Warnings’ This Winter Texas, There’s Something New

Texans, and the rest of the US, will no longer hear the terms Wind Chill Advisory or Wind Chill Warning when it comes to describing winter weather.

While Texas is still experiencing warmer than normal temperatures during 'Hotober' we know the cold weather, that many of us despise, is coming eventually and it will leave us huddled underneath our comforters and snuggled away in our warm beds.

For decades we've heard the terms 'wind chill advisory' and 'wind chill warning' from our local meteorologists, those terms are being abandoned in favor of new terms that will hopefully make weather alerts easier to understand.

The National Weather Service introduces Extreme Cold Watch and Warning

Beginning October 1, 2024, the National Weather Service retired wind chill in favor of extreme cold because weather conditions vary across the US and it's not just wind but exposure to extreme cold temperatures that can be hazardous to your health.

• Extreme Cold Watch replaces Wind Chill Watches
• Extreme Cold Warning Replaces Wind Chill Warnings
• Cold Weather Advisory replaces Wind Chill Advisory
• Freeze Watch replaces Hard Freeze Watches
• Freeze Warning replaces Hard Freeze Warning

A Wind Chill Watch is now an Extreme Cold Watch

It will be issued when dangerously cold air, with or without wind, is possible. You should adjust plans to avoid being outside during the coldest parts of the day and make sure you have at least half a tank of gas and an updated winter survival kit.

A Wind Chill Warning is now an Extreme Cold Warning

It will be issued when dangerously cold air, with or without wind, is expected. You should avoid going outside, but if you must, you should dress in layers, cover exposed skin, and make sure at least one person knows where you are going and when you arrive at your destination.

A Wind Chill Advisory is now a Cold Weather Advisory
You should be sure to be dressed appropriately and cover exposed skin when going outdoors.

The NWS made the changes in hopes of clarifying that cold can be dangerous with or without wind, addressing a common misconception that extreme cold is only tied to colder temperatures when there is wind. The new watch and warning type will be issued as it pertains to a specific region because cold weather varies.

Texans will eventually have to deal with cold weather and when we do we'll get used to hearing these new terms and shiver some every time we hear them.