Advisory - A weather advisory is less severe than a warning, but a hazardous weather event is still threatening to occur.
WATCHES
- A weather watch means the potential or conditions exist for a dangerous weather event.
- Action: Prepare for the weather event; listen for additional information, including warnings.
Excessive Heat Watch - An excessive heat watch is issued when excessive heat is possible. Heat indexes are forecast at 105 degrees or higher for a period of two hours or more.
Fire Weather Watch - A fire weather watch is issued when there is the possible development of conditions favorable for forest, grass or brush fires.
Flash Flood Watch - A Flash Flood Watch is issued for potential rapid flooding from either torrential downpours, dam breaks, or ice jam breaks. They are usually issued up to 12 hours prior to a possible flash flood event.
Flood Watch - A flood watch is issued when the potential for flooding exists. The onset of flooding is much slower, usually greater than six hours, than a flash flood. They are usually issued up to 12 hours prior to the possible flood event.
High Wind Watch - A high wind watch is issued when there is a potential for dangerous winds.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch - A severe thunderstorm watch outlines an area where hail up to -inch in diameter or larger, and damaging thunderstorm winds are expected to occur. In rare situations, the enhanced wording, "this is a particularly dangerous situation" will be used to describe extreme thunderstorm activity.
Tornado Watch - A tornado watch outlines an area where large hail and damaging wind threats, as well as the possibility of multiple tornadoes are possible. In rare situations, the enhanced wording, "this is a particularly dangerous situation" will be used when long-lived, strong and violent tornadoes are possible.
WARNINGS
- A weather warning means that a dangerous weather event is imminent. Immediate action must be taken to protect life and property.
- Action: Take action immediately to protect life and property.
Excessive Heat Warning - An excessive heat warning is issued when heat indexes will reach 105 degrees or higher for a period of two hours or more.
Flash Flood Warning - A flash flood warning signifies a short duration of intense or rapid flooding of counties, communities, streams, or urban areas. Flash floods may result from such things as torrential downpours, dam breaks, or ice jam breaks.
Action: Take action immediately - move to higher ground, do not drive through flooded roadways.
Flash Flood Statement - A flash flood statement is issued after either a Flash Flood Watch or a Flash Flood Warning. It will provide the latest information on the flash flooding situation or event.
Flood Warning - A flood warning signifies a longer duration and more gradual flooding of counties, communities, streams, or urban areas. Floods usually begin after six hours of excessive rainfall.
Flood Statement - A flood statement is issued after either a Flood Watch or a Flood Warning. It will provide the latest information on the flash flooding situation or event.
High Wind Warning - A high wind warning is issued when sustained winds are predicted to reach 40 mph or greater for at least one hour, or any gust of wind is expected to be 58 mph or greater.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning - A severe thunderstorm warning is issued when large hail or damaging wind is actually occurring or imminent. Severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes with little or no advance warning. Severe thunderstorms will also produce frequent and dangerous lightning.
Action: Seek safe shelter immediately. Criteria: Hail - " or larger; Wind - 58 mph or greater.
Severe Weather Statement - A severe weather statement provides follow-up information on severe weather conditions (severe thunderstorm or tornadoes) which have occurred or are currently occurring.
Special Marine Warning - A special marine warning is issued for any of the hazardous maritime weather conditions; thunderstorms over water; thunderstorms that will move over water; cold air funnels over water; or waterspouts usually two hours or less and producing sustained winds or frequent gusts of 34 knots or more.
Action: Boaters should move to safe harbor.
Red Flag Warning - A red flag warning is issued when extreme burning conditions are forecasted. Forecasting criteria includes relative humidity, wind and temperature.
Action: No open burning.
River Flood Warning - A river flood warning is issued for specific communities or areas along a river where flooding is imminent or occurring. River flood warnings will provide crest forecasts.
Action: move to higher ground; do not drive through flooded roadways
Tornado Warning - A tornado warning is issued if a cloud rotation has been spotted or when a tornado is imminent or occurring. This includes when a tornado is indicated by Doppler radar or sighted by spotters.
Action: Seek safe shelter immediately.
