National Weather ServiceWinter Weather AdvisoryVTEC WW.YArchive to October 1, 2026
Winter Weather Advisory: what it means and how often it is issued
The National Weather Service issued 2,099 winter weather advisories in 2025 and 2,088 a year on average in 2008-2025; Alaska, Montana and Wyoming got the most in 2021-2025. 2026 through September: 1,107, 19% below the average of 1,372 for those months in 2008-2025.
What is a winter weather advisory?
A winter weather advisory covers snow, sleet or freezing rain that will be a nuisance and can make roads slippery, below warning amounts. An advisory is issued for a hazard less serious than a warning that can still cause inconvenience or danger if people are not careful.
Source: National Weather Service directives and glossary.
How many winter weather advisories a year?
National count: each winter 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) | 1,108 |
| 2025 | 2,099 |
| 2024 | 2,029 |
| 2023 | 2,092 |
| 2022 | 2,251 |
| 2021 | 2,162 |
| 2020 | 1,996 |
| 2019 | 2,693 |
| 2018 | 2,554 |
| 2017 | 1,969 |
| 2016 | 1,824 |
| 2015 | 1,837 |
| 2014 | 2,246 |
| 2013 | 2,153 |
| 2012 | 1,709 |
| 2011 | 2,168 |
| 2010 | 2,211 |
| 2009 | 2,043 |
| 2008 | 1,539 |
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 winter weather advisories?
Yearly average per state, 2021-2025. A winter weather advisory covering two states counts in both.
| State | A year, 2021-2025 | A year, 2008-2025 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 237 | 188 | 192 |
| Montana | 176 | 166 | 181 |
| Wyoming | 127 | 123 | 124 |
| California | 127 | 128 | 90 |
| Idaho | 124 | 114 | 93 |
| Washington | 124 | 116 | 103 |
| New York | 123 | 103 | 154 |
| Colorado | 119 | 120 | 108 |
| Michigan | 116 | 107 | 149 |
| Minnesota | 114 | 111 | 127 |
| Oregon | 101 | 93 | 77 |
| Wisconsin | 96 | 91 | 106 |
| Pennsylvania | 88 | 87 | 111 |
| West Virginia | 81 | 78 | 102 |
| Nebraska | 73 | 79 | 65 |
| Iowa | 70 | 77 | 84 |
| Kansas | 62 | 73 | 60 |
| South Dakota | 60 | 65 | 61 |
| Virginia | 54 | 61 | 74 |
| Nevada | 53 | 53 | 35 |
| Indiana | 50 | 57 | 70 |
| Illinois | 50 | 54 | 57 |
| Ohio | 49 | 55 | 77 |
| North Dakota | 48 | 46 | 45 |
| Maine | 47 | 53 | 40 |
| Utah | 47 | 47 | 40 |
| Missouri | 42 | 51 | 42 |
| Texas | 42 | 52 | 41 |
| Kentucky | 42 | 47 | 60 |
| New Mexico | 38 | 41 | 30 |
| North Carolina | 35 | 49 | 54 |
| Maryland | 35 | 45 | 39 |
| Massachusetts | 32 | 35 | 30 |
| Vermont | 31 | 32 | 34 |
| Arizona | 28 | 26 | 19 |
| Connecticut | 27 | 32 | 27 |
| Oklahoma | 25 | 31 | 28 |
| Tennessee | 24 | 31 | 25 |
| Arkansas | 23 | 28 | 21 |
| New Hampshire | 22 | 27 | 20 |
| New Jersey | 22 | 25 | 24 |
| Mississippi | 9 | 11 | 4 |
| Rhode Island | 9 | 11 | 10 |
| Hawaii | 9 | 9 | 4 |
| Louisiana | 8 | 8 | 7 |
| Alabama | 7 | 9 | 6 |
| Georgia | 7 | 14 | 11 |
| Delaware | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| District of Columbia | 5 | 6 | 8 |
| South Carolina | 5 | 10 | 9 |
| Florida | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.