Erie County Winter Storm Scale

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Hazard Communication Template

This page allows you to create a communicable paragraph for a variety of winter hazards. Fill in the "Storm Basics" section, followed by the sections applicable to the primary hazard type you select.
The messaging template is based on the Warning Lexicon (publication), a premier source for alert and warning language developed by the team at the Emergency Risk Communication and Message Testing Lab at the University at Albany in conjunction with FEMA IPAWS.

STORM BASICS

Lead Time:

Primary Hazard:

Storm Intensity:

Start Time (not necessary if lead time is "During"): End Time:
Examples: "4 - 6 PM Friday", "late Saturday morning"

List some municipalities impacted by the hazard, OR select a box below:
County-wide Northern Half of County Southern Half of County

COMPLETE THIS SECTION FOR HEAVY SNOW

Display Snow forecast in text? (Enter amounts below if "Yes"):

Low End Snow Amount: High End Snow Amount:

Is there also an Extreme Cold hazard? (Fill out "EXTREME COLD" section):

Is there also a Wind / Blowing Snow hazard?:

COMPLETE THIS SECTION FOR WINTER STORM

Precipitation Type(s) Expected: Snow Sleet Freezing Rain

Display Snow/Sleet and/or Ice forecast in text? (Enter amounts below if "Yes"):

Low End (Snow/Sleet): High End (Snow/Sleet):

Low End (Freezing Rain): High End (Freezing Rain):

Is there also an Extreme Cold hazard? (Fill out "EXTREME COLD" section):

Is there also a Wind / Blowing Snow hazard?:

COMPLETE THIS SECTION FOR EXTREME COLD

NWS wind chill & time-to-frostbite chart

Minimum Wind Chill:

Minutes to Frostbite:

COMPLETE THIS SECTION FOR BLIZZARD

Display Wind Gust forecast in text? (Enter a gust range below if "Yes"):

Low End Wind Gust: High End Wind Gust:

Message templates designed by Jeannette Sutton (jsutton@albany.edu) and Hugh Walpole. Adaptations and message generator developed by Matt Seymour (mseymour2@albany.edu).

Website and Figures Developed by Matt Seymour
Research Support Specialist, Center of Excellence in Weather & Climate Analytics, University at Albany

Please contact Matt (mseymour2@albany.edu) or Nick Bassill (nbassill@albany.edu) with any questions regarding the website or its contents.

Header Image Source

Erie County Winter Storm Scale (ECWSS)