Reportable Weather Conditions (Criteria)
SulCom Winter Weather Program
Revised 18 October 2024
The following winter weather conditions (criteria) are all reportable in SulCom's Winter Weather Program using the methods as indicated in other program guidelines.
NOTE
All conditions (criteria) listed on this page have equal precedence and value.
Disruption to Primary Electrical, Primary Phone or Primary Data/Internet Services
Defined as disruption to line-connected electrical service, line-connected phone service and line-connected internet service.
NOTE: Although used by many as a primary service, wireless phone service is not considered a primary phone service for this purpose.
Flash Flooding
Defined as:
- major structural damage / evacuations
- river banks broken, water out of bank
- roads, bridges, or railroads washed out
Flooding - Minor, Inconvenient Urban / Small Stream
Defined as:
- non-life-threatening / non-damaging water over curb
- some water out of banks
- some water on the roads
Click here for the Difference Between Floods and Flash Floods
Fog Conditions
Defined as fog that produces visibility of less than mile in daylight.
High Snowfall Rates
Defined as snowfall rates exceeding 3 every 6 hours. Include the measurement period as well (i. e., 4.25 inches measured between 8am and 10:30am )
Ice Damage
Defined as visible ice damage to buildings, structures and power lines.
Ice Jams on Rivers
Defined as a disruption or diversion to normal river flow as a result of accumulated ice.
Other Damage to Trees and Power Lines
Defined as visible damage to trees and power lines.
State and County Highway Closures
Defined as closures on roads due to snow or ice.
Sustained Winds and Wind Gusts 50 Mph or Greater
Defined as sustained winds or wind gusts that meet or exceed the indicated threshold. Indicate if Measured with instrument or Estimated per established guidelines ( Measured is preferred.)
Thunder-Snow
Defined as thunder heard in the presence of snow showers.
Whiteout Conditions
Defined as wind driven snow that result in zero or near-zero visibility in daylight.
!! IMPORTANT !!
In addition to the above criteria, any criteria on the Summer/Severe Weather Program criteria list not already listed above should be reported during the winter season as well, should it happen.
Since winters in Southern Wisconsin are warmer nowadays and more convective rain events and thunderstorms occur the during winter months as a result, the Summer/Severe Weather Program criteria list is now considered as a year-round guideline.
In the above regard, the Summer/Severe Weather Program communications guidelines/protocols may be used for reporting of ground truth data for the winter months as well. This will happen as needed.