With recent ice storm warnings and winter weather watches, the difference in a weather watch versus a warning can be life threatening. Here are different weather warnings that you should know.

Winter Weather Advisoriesare issued when snow, blowing snow, ice, sleet, or a combination of these wintry elements are expected, but conditions should not be hazardous enough to meet warning criteria.

A winter storm warning is the most severe and means meteorologists are confident a winter storm will produce heavy snow, sleet or freezing rain that poses a significant risk to people's lives.

A winter weather advisory is issued when snow, blowing snow, ice, sleet, or a combination of these wintry elements is expected, but conditions should not be hazardous enough to meet warning criteria.

In the Kuskokwim Delta, a winter storm warning is active from 3 a.m. AKST Tuesday to 3 p.m. AKST Thursday. Mixed precipitation, with up to 1 inch of snow and trace ice, is expected, along with ...

The warning was issued for parts of Colorado, Utah and Montana. The winter storm was expected to bring heavy snow and strong winds to mountain areas across the Western states.

Winter Storm Warnings are usually issued 12 to 24 hours before the event is expected to begin. Winter Storm Watch: Alerts the public to the possibility of a blizzard, heavy snow, heavy freezing ...

A winter storm warning is the most severe. It means that meteorologists have high confidence that a winter storm will produce heavy snow, sleet or freezing rain and cause significant impacts.

A winter weather advisory is issued when snow, blowing snow, ice, sleet, or a combination of these wintry elements is expected, but conditions should not be hazardous enough to meet warning criteria.

Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscasts Normally, a Winter Storm Watch will be issued ahead of the storm. The issuing usually comes at least 24 hours in advance.