Weather Watches and Warnings Weather Watches and Warnings

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Severe Thunderstorm Watch Means thunderstorms forecast will produce six and more hail Means thunderstorms forecast will produce six and more hail events of 3/4 inch (penny) diameter or greater, or damaging events of 3/4 inch (penny) diameter or greater, or damaging winds of 50 knots (58 mph) or greater. The forecast event winds of 50 knots (58 mph) or greater. The forecast event minimum thresholds should be at least 2 hours over an area minimum thresholds should be at least 2 hours over an area of at least 8,000 square miles. of at least 8,000 square miles.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning Severe Thunderstorm Warning Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are issued when there is Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are issued when there is radar indication and/or reliable spotter reports of hail of 3/4 radar indication and/or reliable spotter reports of hail of 3/4 inch (penny) diameter or greater, and/or wind gusts of 50 inch (penny) diameter or greater, and/or wind gusts of 50 knots (58 mph) or greater. knots (58 mph) or greater.

Tornado Watch Tornado Watch

A tornado watch means that the conditions are favorable for A tornado watch means that the conditions are favorable for producing a particular event, but it has not formed yet. Watches alert producing a particular event, but it has not formed yet. Watches alert the public that they need to pay closer attention than usual to the the public that they need to pay closer attention than usual to the weather, just to be safe. A tornado watch is issued when weather, just to be safe. A tornado watch is issued when atmospheric conditions cause tornadoes to form, although none atmospheric conditions cause tornadoes to form, although none have formed yet. have formed yet.

Tornado Warning Tornado Warning

A tornado warning means that a particular weather event A tornado warning means that a particular weather event has formed and that it threatens the area under the warning. A has formed and that it threatens the area under the warning. A tornado warning means a tornado is actually present and moving in tornado warning means a tornado is actually present and moving in th warn vicinity. Residents should take immediate shelter in a th warn vicinity. Residents should take immediate shelter in a tornado warning. tornado warning.