Understanding Severe Weather Alerts

Severe weather can happen anywhere at any time, whether it be thunderstorms that produce destructive winds, large hail, tornadoes or drenching rain. Understanding the different severe weather alerts before dangerous storms strike can help keep you and your family safe.

So, do you know the difference between an advisory, watch and warning?

Advisory: Be Aware!

Advisories are issued when a specific weather event is forecast to occur that may not reach warning criteria but could become a nuisance. Advisories typically cover a smaller area around the size of a city or a small county. They are issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.

Severe weather-related advisories include:

• Flood Advisories, which are issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning. However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.

Watch: Be Prepared!

Watches are issued as conditions are present or favorable for a specific weather event but are not immediately occurring. The watch area is typically large, covering numerous counties or even states.

Severe weather-related watches include:

• Severe Thunderstorm Watches, which mean that severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. Stay informed and be ready to act if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued. They are issued by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla.
• Tornado Watches, which are issued when tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. You should review and discuss your emergency plans and check supplies and your safe room. Be ready to act quickly of a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. Acting early saves lives! They are issued by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla.
• Flood Watches, which are issued when conditions are favorable for flooding to occur. It does not mean that flooding will occur, but that it is possible. They are issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.

Warning: Take Action!

Warnings are issued when a specific weather event is actively occurring or is imminent. The weather event can either be identified on weather radar by a National Weather Service forecaster or by a trained spotter/law enforcement who is watching the storm. Warnings typically cover a much smaller area than a watch, typically around the size of a city or small county. They are issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.

Severe weather-related warnings include:

• Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, which broadcast that severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property. You should take shelter in a substantial building. Get out of mobile homes that can blow over in high winds.
• Tornado Warnings, which are used when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is an imminent danger to life and property. You should quickly move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows. If you happen to be in a mobile home, vehicle or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
• Flood or Flash Flood Warnings, when flooding/flash flooding is imminent or already happening. If you are in a flood prone area, move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.

Knowing the different severe weather alerts and what to do when they are issued will increase the chances that you and your family survive any severe weather that comes your way.
 
Source: NWS
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