Knowledge Center
Clear, local answers to the Capital Region’s most common weather questions.
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When severe or winter weather threatens the Capital Region, clear information matters. This knowledge center brings together straightforward explanations of alerts, hazards, and safety guidance to help you understand what’s happening and how to stay prepared. Whether it’s thunderstorms, flooding, snow, or ice, use this page as a quick, reliable reference before and during impactful weather.
Understanding Weather Alerts
A fast breakdown of the alert types you’ll see most often:
- Watch: Conditions are favorable for hazardous weather. Stay alert.
- Warning: Hazardous weather is occurring or imminent. Take action.
- Advisory: Lower-end impacts that may still disrupt travel or routines.
- Special Weather Statement: Brief hazards that still warrant attention.
Local Hazards in the Capital Region
The Capital Region experiences a wide range of impactful weather throughout the year.
Most Common Threats
- Damaging straight-line winds
- Flash flooding from heavy rain
- Heavy snow and ice
- Occasional tornadoes
- Extreme cold and dangerous wind chills
Preparedness Checklist
Simple steps to stay ready before severe or
winter weather strikes.
winter weather strikes.
General Severe Weather
- Charge phones and backup batteries
- Secure outdoor items
- Know your safe interior room
- Monitor alerts from CWO and NWS Albany
Flash Flooding
- Avoid basements and low-lying areas
- Never drive through flooded roads
- Move to higher ground if needed
- Turn around early if water is rising nearby
Winter Storms
- Keep extra blankets and warm clothing
- Stock food, water, and medications
- Have ice melt and shovels ready
- Prepare for possible power outages
Extreme Cold
- Limit time outdoors
- Dress in layers
- Protect pets and pipes
- Use caution with space heaters and fireplaces
When to Take Action
What to do before, during, and after hazardous weather.
Before the Storm
- Review alerts
- Prepare your home and vehicle
- Charge devices
- Gather essentials
During the Storm
- Stay indoors
- Avoid travel unless necessary
- Follow official guidance
- Monitor updates from CWO
After the Storm
- Watch for downed power lines
- Avoid floodwaters
- Check on neighbors
- Document any damage
Severe Weather FAQs
Quick answers to the Capital Region’s most
common severe weather questions.
common severe weather questions.
Severe weather includes any event capable of causing damage, disruption, or danger to life.
In the Capital Region, this includes severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, flash flooding, damaging winds,
large hail, heavy snow and ice, and extreme heat or cold.
- Watch: Conditions are favorable for severe weather. Stay alert.
- Warning: Severe weather is occurring or imminent. Take action immediately.
A storm that produces winds of 58 mph or higher, hail 1 inch or larger, or both.
Lightning alone does not make a storm “severe.”
A tornado has been spotted or indicated by radar. Move to a safe interior room on the lowest floor.
Move to higher ground, avoid flooded roads, and stay out of basements and low‑lying areas.
Flash flooding is the leading cause of severe weather fatalities in the U.S.
Use NOAA Weather Radio, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), local TV/radio, NWS Albany alerts,
and Colonie Weather Online’s real‑time updates.
Winter Weather FAQs
A practical guide to snow, ice, wind chill,
and winter storm alerts.
and winter storm alerts.
A Winter Storm Warning is issued when heavy snow, sleet, or ice is expected.
Travel becomes hazardous and disruptions are likely. Plan for difficult or impossible travel.
A Winter Weather Advisory is issued for lighter snow, sleet, or freezing rain that may still cause
travel difficulties. Use caution and allow extra time.
A Blizzard Warning is issued when strong winds and falling or blowing snow reduce visibility to
one-quarter mile or less for at least three hours. Travel becomes extremely dangerous.
An Ice Storm Warning is issued when significant icing is expected. Ice accumulation can bring
down trees and power lines and make travel nearly impossible.
Lake-effect snow forms when cold air passes over warmer lake water, creating narrow but intense
snow bands. Accumulations can vary dramatically over short distances.
- Freezing rain coats surfaces with ice on contact, creating glaze ice.
- Sleet is ice pellets that bounce on impact. Sleet is slippery, but freezing rain is far more dangerous.
Wind chill describes how cold it feels when wind removes heat from exposed skin.
Lower wind chills increase the risk of frostbite and hypothermia.
Keep an emergency kit, charge devices, stock essentials, and stay informed through
CWO updates and NWS Albany alerts. Avoid unnecessary travel during warnings.
Weather Glossary
Short definitions for common weather terms and phrases.
- Updraft: Rising air that fuels thunderstorms.
- Downdraft: Sinking air that can produce damaging winds.
- Microburst: A powerful, localized downdraft causing intense wind damage.
- Wind Chill: How cold it feels when wind removes heat from exposed skin.
- Ice Accretion: The buildup of ice from freezing rain.
- Convective Outlook: SPC’s forecast for thunderstorm potential.
Quick Links
Essential external tools for monitoring
severe and winter weather.
severe and winter weather.