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Wintry January 23rd-27th 2026

For some reason, RAH tends to issue Winter Storm Warnings instead of Ice Storm Warnings even when the criteria supports the ISW. I just haven’t seen many of them issued over the years (nor Freezing Rain Advisories, now defunct). Probably just their WFO preference. I wouldn’t read too much into it.
I can see that, and I have Winter Weather Advisory while Lumberton has an Ice Storm Warning (two different NWS offices, RAH vs ILM)
 
Alan Huffman’s call.
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I was interested why we got issued a Winter Storm Warning instead of an Ice Storm Warning so I did some digging. It seems that you only get issued an Ice Storm Warning when the NWS is expecting ONLY freezing rain. If your area has a chance for sleet or snow, no matter the freezing rain threat you get the WSW.
 
I was interested why we got issued a Winter Storm Warning instead of an Ice Storm Warning so I did some digging. It seems that you only get issued an Ice Storm Warning when the NWS is expecting ONLY freezing rain. If your area has a chance for sleet or snow, no matter the freezing rain threat you get the WSW.
that's interesting because nws gsp is forecasting 1-2" of sleet for my area yet I am still under an Ice Storm Warning lol. Is that just a raleigh thing or is that standard for every NWS office?
 
that's interesting because nws gsp is forecasting 1-2" of sleet for my area yet I am still under an Ice Storm Warning lol. Is that just a raleigh thing or is that standard for every NWS office?
It's a standard, technically sleet is ice so maybe sleet is included?
 
I was interested why we got issued a Winter Storm Warning instead of an Ice Storm Warning so I did some digging. It seems that you only get issued an Ice Storm Warning when the NWS is expecting ONLY freezing rain. If your area has a chance for sleet or snow, no matter the freezing rain threat you get the WSW.
That’s what I’ve always thought, GSP put me in an Ice Storm Warning with them forecasting around an inch of sleet
 
I was interested why we got issued a Winter Storm Warning instead of an Ice Storm Warning so I did some digging. It seems that you only get issued an Ice Storm Warning when the NWS is expecting ONLY freezing rain. If your area has a chance for sleet or snow, no matter the freezing rain threat you get the WSW.
We may also reach Winter Storm Warning criteria on sleet alone (I think that's just 0.5", right?).
 
We may also reach Winter Storm Warning criteria on sleet alone (I think that's just 0.5", right?).
You’re correct. That’s why I was surprised GSP put their whole area in an Ice Storm warning, including locations they have forecast 1-2”+ of sleet. My guess if that they feel the public attention needs to be focused on the potential power disruption with extreme cold coming in after the storm
 
Yeah it's not massive in the grand scheme of things but you can tell the HRRR has tighten the gradient up and is continuing to flatten out and a little more progressive compared to recent runs...It's about 2 degrees colder as well on Saturday at 18z... 12z had ATL at 42 and 18z is at 40 and pretty much same at any given point between Birmingham up to Carolinas
 
I was interested why we got issued a Winter Storm Warning instead of an Ice Storm Warning so I did some digging. It seems that you only get issued an Ice Storm Warning when the NWS is expecting ONLY freezing rain. If your area has a chance for sleet or snow, no matter the freezing rain threat you get the WSW.
A friend called them and said we may see one once the event starts. Uncertainties remain with how much freezing rain and sleet may cut down.
 
I looked at the criteria, and yea. Ice storm warning when frz rain predominant ptype. Can't argue with that. 🤷‍♂️

Still, local WFOs have their quirks. Like when RAH issues a Winter Weather Advisory for black ice when the others rarely do.
 
RGEM, HRRR, NAM, FV3 (ICON and CMC also have a decent hold on this I believe)
You just named every model that’s not the GFS btw. Nobody is paying attention to the GFS I promise you that
 
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