Watch or Warning: What is the difference

With the bad weather season underway, now is a good time to review the difference between the tornado and severe thunderstorm watches and warnings. A watch means there is the potential for the development of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, depending on the specific type of emitted clock. In the case of a tornado warning, does not mean that a tornado has been seen even indicated on radar ... it just means that conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes in storms. Similarly, a severe storm watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of severe weather, and does not indicate bad weather has been reported. While immediate action is required by the general public for the issuance of a clock, citizens must be up to date on the current weather situation and be prepared to seek shelter if necessary.

One caveat, however, requires more immediate action must be taken seriously. A severe storm warning indicates that severe weather is imminent in your area or is already occurring (based on the observation whether human or doppler radar). The term refers to the severe exceeding hail to 1.00 "in diameter and / or wind gusts that meet or exceed 58 mph. Despite these storms they can also be associated with dangerous cloud to ground lightning or heavy rainfall can cause flash floods, neither of these elements serve as criteria for a severe thunderstorm warning is issued.

While occurrences peak event of severe weather in the United States occur between March and October, severe weather can occur anytime. In order to save lives, the branches of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued public warnings and watches.

Knowing the difference between the two can prepare people for needed to take when considering the threat of bad weather measurements. Watches and warnings issued to the public are based on different criteria.

Watches are issued by NOAA SPC, and warnings are issued by local offices of the National Weather Service (NWS).

"A watch is issued when conditions are favorable, for example, either a severe thunderstorm or tornado," said AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Dan Kottlowski. "This does not mean that severe weather is imminent."

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