| Watch |
A watch lets you know that weather conditions are favorable for a hazard to occur. It literally means "be on guard!" During a weather watch, gather awareness of the specific threat and prepare for action - monitor the weather to find out if severe weather conditions have deteriorated and discuss your protective action plans with your family. |
| Warning |
A warning requires immediate action. This means a weather hazard is imminent - it is either occurring (a tornado has been spotted, for example) - or it is about to occur at any moment. During a weather warning, it is important to take action: grab the emergency kit you have prepared in advance and head to safety immediately. Both watches and warnings are important, but warnings are more urgent. |
| Tropical Storm Watch: |
An announcement that tropical-storm conditions are possible within the specified area. |
| Tropical Storm Warning: |
An announcement that tropical-storm conditions are expected within the specified area. Watches are issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds. |
| Hurricane Watch: |
An announcement that tropical-storm conditions are expected within the specified area. |
| Hurricane Warning: |
An announcement that hurricane conditions are expected within the specified area. Warnings are issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds. |
| Extreme Wind Warning |
Extreme sustained winds of a major hurricane (115 mph or greater), usually associated with the eyewall, are expected to begin within an hour |