This week, the National Weather Service issued a new type of alert to better inform the public about the conditions we are experiencing.

It would make sense that this caution would debut in the upper mid-west, but instead, our area got it first.

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Introducing the "extreme cold warning."

The new alert was issued in Carbon and Monroe Counties, in the Pohoconos, by the New Jersey region of the weather service in Mount Holly.

The rest of New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania went under a cold weather advisory, a new, less intense alert.

So, what’s the deal with these warnings?

READ MORE: Is it Illegal to Warm Up Your Car in Your Driveway in New Jersey?

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National Weather Service
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These changes by the National Weather Service are meant to better communicate cold weather alerts.

I guess "it's going to be freaking cold" isn't straightforward enough.

That's right, say goodbye to "wind-chill advisories and warnings."

Welcome "extreme cold warnings," "extreme cold watches," and "cold weather advisories."

As Mike Lee, a meteorologist from the Mount Holly office, explained to NJ.com, the intention is understanding.

What triggers these warnings isn't so simple. It all depends on where you're located.

National Weather Service
National Weather Service
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For example, in Jersey counties like Sussex and Warren in the northern part of the state, the temperature is a bone-chilling 20 below zero for a warning.

The baseline is 10 below for most of central and south Jersey.

An extreme cold warning in New York isn't issued unless the forecast calls for temperatures below 30.

New Jersey towns such as Sandyston and Walpack experienced record-low temperatures at 15 below.

Can you imagine that windchill? At that point, it all feels the same. Cold is cold.

Glossary of NJ winter weather words and phrases

Gallery Credit: Dan Zarrow

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