ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — As winter nears and temperatures continue their downward trend, the National Weather Service (NWS) is reminding folks to read changes made about its cold weather watches and warnings. On Oct. 1, the changes took effect all across the United States. The goal, officials said, is to simplify the suite of cold weather forecast products to improve messaging of winter hazards and provide better descriptions. According to the NWS, "This effort is part of the Hazard Simplification initiative which integrates public and partner engagements and social science research to improve and evolve our alerting system." Below are the changes: Extreme Cold Consolidation and Renaming: Wind Chill Watch has been renamed to Extreme Cold Watch Wind Chill Warning has been renamed to Extreme Cold Warning Wind Chill Advisory has been renamed to Cold Weather Advisory Freeze Consolidation: Hard Freeze Watch has been renamed to Freeze Watch Hard Freeze Warning has been consolidated to Freeze Warning An Extreme Cold Watch will be issued when dangerously cold air, with or without wind, is possible. People will be urged to check the forecast and be prepared in case a warning is issued. An Extreme Cold Warning will be issued when dangerously cold air, with or without wind, is expected. Conditions could lead to frostbite or hypothermia. Limit time outside, dress in layers and cover up exposed skin. These changes, according to the NWS, seek to clarify that cold weather can be dangerous with or without wind, addressing 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.