When it comes to weather, sometimes terms can become confusing.

Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Kempf tells Raccoon Valley Radio that there’s three main phrases to listen for during the winter months, and what the differences between them are.

He says that a winter storm warning is issued when hazardous winter weather, usually in the form of heavy snow, heavy freezing rain and/or heavy sleet is expected in the next 36 hours. A winter storm watch means that winter storm conditions are possible in the next 12 to 48 hours, and a winter weather advisory is used when accumulations of snow, freezing rain and/or sleet may cause significant inconveniences and could lead to life-threatening situations.

Kempf mentions that another less frequent warning that the Raccoon Valley Radio listening area receives is an ice storm warning. These warnings let residents know that it’s expected for the area to accumulate a quarter inch to over one inch of ice within the next 36 hours due to freezing rain.