Cold Weather Terms

In Leelanau County, the weather can drastically change from one minute to the next. Familiarize yourself with the following terms to help identify a winter storm hazard.

Freezing Rain:

Rain that freezes when it hits the ground, creating a coating of ice on roads, walkways, trees and power lines.

Sleet:

Rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes moisture on the roads to freeze and become slippery.

Winter Storm Watch:

Indicates severe winter weather conditions may affect your area in the next 12 to 48 hours, stay turned to your NOAA Weather radio or other media sources.

Blizzard Warnings:

These are issued when sustained wind guests of at least 35 miles per hour are accompanied by considerable falling and/or blowing snow, for a period of at least 3 hours. Visibility is greatly reduced to near zero during a blizzard.

Winter Weather Advisories:

These are issued when snowfalls are expected to be hazardous, but less than WARNING criteria. This generally indicated in the Lower Peninsula 4" to 5" are expected in a 12-hour period.

Frost/Freeze Warning:

Below freezing temperatures are expected.

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This page last updated on 4/27/2014.