NWS halting 'wind chill warnings' this winter. Here's why and what you'll see instead

This winter, the fire may be delightful, but the frightful weather won't be called "wind chill warnings," according to the National Weather Service's new terminology.

"Wind or no wind, cold is cold," the National Weather Service reports .

The NWS is updating its terminology for the Winter 2024-25 season, and will no longer use wind chill advisories, watches and warnings language in alerts.

The new terms used to denote extreme weather during the season are Extreme Cold Watch, Extreme Cold Warning and Cold Weather Advisory.

NWS 'wind chill' language changing to 'extreme cold'

The NWS said these changes seek to clarify that cold can be dangerous with or without wind and address a common misconception that extreme cold is only tied to colder temperatures when there is wind.

"Dangerously cold weather can accompany or follow wintry precipitation, and the cold messaging can be overshadowed by the wintry precipitation," the NWS said in a press release .

They also note that the type of weather notice can change based on location and timeframe. Based on how far north or how far south a region is will help distinguish what is crossing the threshold based on those areas' historical data rather than a blanket term.

What does the Old Farmer's Almanac predict for winter weather?

The Old Farmer's Almanac reported a " mild, dry " winter ahead for most of Oklahoma and the Plain states.

Specifically, meteorologists predict it to be "warmer than average with the coldest periods in late January and early and late February." With the warmer-than-average temperatures, they predict that precipitation will adversely be below normal amounts.

"So expect it to be drier than average this winter in Texas and Oklahoma. The best chances for snow are expected in early and late February," the book's newest edition reads.