A winter storm warning is an official hazardous weather alert issued by the National Weather Service in the United States. It is communicated through local Weather Forecast Offices to notify residents that dangerous winter conditions, such as heavy snow or ice, are imminent or already happening, typically within the next 36 hours.
This type of warning is notable because it signals a significant threat to life and property, prompting the public to take protective actions. It indicates that severe winter weather is expected to meet or exceed specific local criteria, making travel difficult or impossible and potentially causing power outages. Heeding these warnings allows communities and individuals to prepare adequately.
Recently, this term has been prominent in news headlines due to active weather systems forecasted for the Midwestern United States. Multiple news outlets have reported on winter storm warnings being issued for areas including Iowa and Illinois, with predictions of substantial snowfall accumulation over a post-Thanksgiving weekend.
These alerts guide regional preparedness, as the anticipated conditions are serious enough to disrupt travel and daily routines. The coordinated issuance of warnings by meteorological authorities helps ensure public safety by providing a clear and timely signal for residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions.
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- Iowa weather: Winter storm warning issued for most of Iowa - KCCI 2025-11-28 11:36 · KCCI
- Iowa weather: Winter storm approaches this weekend - KCCI 2025-11-28 10:30 · KCCI
- Chicago weather: Up to 10 inches of snow possible as weekend storm approaches - FOX 32 Chicago 2025-11-28 10:05 · FOX 32 Chicago
- Winter storm still on track to bring several inches of snow to eastern Iowa this weekend - KGAN 2025-11-28 09:47 · KGAN
- Iowa–Illinois Winter Storm Warning: 8–10 Inches Expected Post-Thanksgiving Weekend - Country Herald 2025-11-28 09:05 · Country Herald
- Iowa Winter Storm Warning: 9–14 Inches Near-Blizzard Conditions for Post-Thanksgiving Travelers - Country Herald 2025-11-28 08:57 · Country Herald
- Iowa-Nebraska Winter Storm Warning Travel Alert: Snow, Ice and 35 mph Winds to Hit Friday - Country Herald 2025-11-28 08:57 · Country Herald
- Weekend winter storm timeline for Northern Illinois - MyStateline 2025-11-28 08:43 · MyStateline
- First snow storm of the season expected to hit Southeast Michigan this weekend - CBS News 2025-11-28 08:39 · CBS News
- Winter storm expected to impact region starting late Friday night - Austin Daily Herald 2025-11-28 08:16 · Austin Daily Herald