AFreezing Spray Advisory is issued by theNational Weather Service of theUnited States to warn sea vessels and sometimesroad vehicles near theshoreline that accumulation of freezing water droplets andicing due to a combination of cold suspended droplets, wind, and cold air, so vessel movement is possible, however, accumulations are not expected to reach rates of 2 cm per hour, or else aheavy freezing spray watch,warning or a specific notice would be issued.[1]
The following is an example of a Freezing Spray Advisory issued by the National Weather Service office inSeattle, Washington.[2]
000FZUS76 KSEW 231952MWSSEWMARINE WEATHER STATEMENTNATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SEATTLE WA1152 AM PST WED FEB 23 2011PZZ133-241800-NORTHERN INLAND WATERS INCLUDING THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS-1152 AM PST WED FEB 23 2011...FREEZING SPRAY ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR THE NORTHERN INLAND WATERSFROM 8 PM PST THIS EVENING UNTIL LATE THURSDAY MORNING...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A FREEZING SPRAY ADVISORYFOR THE NORTHERN INLAND WATERS FROM 8 PM PST THIS EVENING UNTIL LATETHURSDAY MORNING.STRONG FRASER OUTFLOW WILL CAUSE WINDY CONDITIONS WITH TEMPERATURESFALLING INTO THE MID 20S OVER THE NORTHERN INLAND WATERS TONIGHT.THIS COMBINATION WILL POSE THE HAZARD OF FREEZING SPRAY OVER THEWATERS...MAINLY NEAR BELLINGHAM BAY...ROSARIO STRAIT...AND THE FARSOUTHERN END OF THE STRAIT OF GEORGIA.ICE ACCUMULATIONS OF UP TO ONE-TENTH OF AN INCH PER HOUR AREPOSSIBLE ON BOATS AND SHIPS TRAVERSING THESE WATERS TONIGHT ANDTHURSDAY MORNING.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...MONITOR FORECASTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SEATTLEFOR UPDATES ON THIS POTENTIAL EVENT.&&$$HANERWEATHER.GOV/SEATTLE