National Weather ServiceCold Weather AdvisoryVTEC CW.Y, WC.YArchive to October 1, 2026
Cold Weather Advisory: what it means and how often it is issued
The National Weather Service issued 782 cold weather advisories in 2025 and 455 a year on average in 2008-2025; Minnesota, Alaska and Texas got the most in 2021-2025. 2026 through September: 514, 42% above the average of 363 for those months in 2008-2025.
What is a cold weather advisory?
A cold weather advisory means cold temperatures or wind chills that can be dangerous to people without shelter. It replaced the wind chill advisory in 2024-2025. An advisory is issued for a hazard less serious than a warning that can still cause inconvenience or danger if people are not careful. AreaZine's counts include the wind chill advisories issued before the change.
Source: National Weather Service directives and glossary.
How many cold weather advisories a year?
National count: each cold weather advisory counted once, whatever the number of states it covers. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 514 |
| 2025 | 782 |
| 2024 | 376 |
| 2023 | 192 |
| 2022 | 679 |
| 2021 | 401 |
| 2020 | 253 |
| 2019 | 501 |
| 2018 | 436 |
| 2017 | 398 |
| 2016 | 297 |
| 2015 | 589 |
| 2014 | 875 |
| 2013 | 449 |
| 2012 | 203 |
| 2011 | 431 |
| 2010 | 441 |
| 2009 | 434 |
| 2008 | 444 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Which states get the most cold weather advisories?
Yearly average per state, 2021-2025. A cold weather advisory covering two states counts in both.
| State | A year, 2021-2025 | A year, 2008-2025 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 61 | 68 | 60 |
| Alaska | 50 | 54 | 27 |
| Texas | 35 | 19 | 83 |
| Montana | 35 | 34 | 53 |
| Iowa | 34 | 36 | 44 |
| Wisconsin | 33 | 36 | 37 |
| North Dakota | 31 | 34 | 43 |
| Nebraska | 30 | 29 | 38 |
| West Virginia | 27 | 24 | 49 |
| South Dakota | 25 | 26 | 30 |
| Kansas | 24 | 20 | 28 |
| Florida | 21 | 20 | 58 |
| Illinois | 20 | 20 | 37 |
| New York | 18 | 19 | 18 |
| Missouri | 17 | 17 | 30 |
| Virginia | 14 | 16 | 35 |
| North Carolina | 14 | 13 | 44 |
| Georgia | 14 | 10 | 44 |
| Wyoming | 14 | 10 | 15 |
| Colorado | 13 | 9 | 14 |
| Arkansas | 13 | 8 | 28 |
| Indiana | 12 | 14 | 23 |
| Mississippi | 12 | 6 | 34 |
| Maine | 12 | 15 | 21 |
| Louisiana | 12 | 5 | 35 |
| Alabama | 11 | 7 | 34 |
| Oklahoma | 11 | 8 | 17 |
| Pennsylvania | 10 | 13 | 21 |
| New Mexico | 10 | 3 | 28 |
| Michigan | 10 | 14 | 11 |
| Washington | 9 | 3 | 21 |
| Tennessee | 9 | 8 | 22 |
| Kentucky | 9 | 6 | 25 |
| Ohio | 7 | 12 | 13 |
| California | 7 | 2 | 25 |
| Maryland | 6 | 11 | 17 |
| South Carolina | 6 | 4 | 20 |
| Oregon | 6 | 2 | 20 |
| Vermont | 6 | 6 | 7 |
| New Hampshire | 5 | 6 | 10 |
| Massachusetts | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Idaho | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Connecticut | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Nevada | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| New Jersey | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Arizona | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Rhode Island | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Delaware | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Hawaii | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Utah | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.