It is a time-honored tradition in the Peach State. A meteorologist mentions a single snowflake, and within the hour, grocery store shelves are stripped bare of milk and bread.

But before residents rush to make their annual supply of “disaster French Toast,” it might be helpful to understand what the National Weather Service is actually trying to say. The difference between a “watch” and a “warning” is the difference between a pleasant winter evening and a commute that ends in a ditch.

Here is a breakdown of the terminology that usually precedes the inevitable school cancellations.

The Pizza Principle

The most common point of confusion is the difference between a Winter Storm Watch and a Winter Storm Warning . The National Weather Service suggests a simple culinary analogy.

Think o

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