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Winter weather alerts, what do they mean?

2 On Your Side Meteorologist Patrick Hammer breaks down what each weather alert means.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Editor's note:  The above video attached was originally published in January 2022)

With a strong winter storm coming, there will be many weather elements that may come into play. 

Storm Team 2 Meteorologists Patrick Hammer and Elyse Smith break down what these mean. 

Winter Storm Warning - A warning that is issued by the National Weather Service when confidence is very high that heavy snow or sleet is possible causing significant impacts. 

Winter Storm Watch - Confidence is medium that a winter storm could produce heavy snow. 

Lake Effect Snow Warning - Lake effect snow is the process where very cold air travels over a warm lake, causing clouds and heavy snow to fall down wind of the lake. Normally you need a temperature difference between the lake surface and the air above to be at least 25° for efficient lake affect snow. 

Blizzard Warning -  Snow or blowing snow occurring with 35 mph winds and quarter mile visibility for three straight hours.

Snow Squall Warning - A burst of heavy snow that can reduce disabilities for a short period of time and over a small distance. Much like a summer time thunderstorm

Lakeshore Flood Watches and Warnings - The piling up of water on one end of a lake, due to persistent winds out of a certain direction. This is called a seiche. Lake levels can rise by 5 to 10 feet if the winds are strong enough in last long enough.

Be sure to download the WGRZ APP on your cellphone, tablet, Roku or Firestick to keep up with the latest information.  Storm Team 2 will have the latest weather updates throughout this winter storm on Channel 2, WGRZ.COM and WGRZ+.

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