BROOME COUNTY, N.Y. -- With winter weather fast approaching, the National Weather Service is looking to simplify its system of alerts.

For example, what was once known as a "Lake Effect Snow Watch" will now simply be called a “winter storm watch.” A “freezing rain advisory” will also now be referred to as a "winter weather advisory."

Along with those changes, the National Weather Service is adding a snow squall alert when there are white-out conditions on the road.

Meteorologists say the new alerts should make things easier for the public to understand.

"We're getting more and more accurate with our forecast, but if people don't understand what we're forecasting and warning about, the warning isn't that good. So the idea is to simplify," said Warning Coordination Meteorologist Dave Nicosia.

Central New York and the Southern Tier will be among seven test markets in the country to use the squall alert this year.