A Winter Storm Watch is issued by the National Weather Service of the United States when there is a potential for heavy snow (6 or more inches) or significant ice accumulations. The watch is usually issued at least 24 to 36 hours before the storm's arrival in the area. The criteria for this watch can vary from place to place.

A similar warning is issued by Environment Canada's Meteorological Service of Canada offices.

Example of a Winter Storm Watch

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE
944 PM CST SUN DEC 9 2007
KSZ005>007-017>019-NEZ064-076-077-084>087-101545-
/O.CON.KGID.WS.A.0005.071211T0000Z-071212T0000Z/
PHILLIPS-SMITH-JEWELL-ROOKS-OSBORNE-MITCHELL-YORK-CLAY-FILLMORE-
FRANKLIN-WEBSTER-NUCKOLLS-THAYER-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...PHILLIPSBURG...SMITH CENTER...MANKATO...
PLAINVILLE...STOCKTON...OSBORNE...BELOIT...YORK...CLAY CENTER...
GENEVA...FRANKLIN...RED CLOUD...SUPERIOR...NELSON...HEBRON
944 PM CST SUN DEC 9 2007
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY EVENING
THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON...
A WINTRY MIX INCLUDING FREEZING RAIN...SLEET AND SNOW WILL BE
POSSIBLE MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY. ICE ACCUMULATIONS UP TO A
QUARTER OF AN INCH ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS NORTH CENTRAL KANSAS WHILE
ACCUMULATING SNOW IS FORECAST ALONG WITH SLEET AND ICE FURTHER
NORTH ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA.
A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.
$$
HEINLEIN

See also

• Severe weather terminology (United States)

External links

• National Weather Service
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Meteorological Service of Canada