Are you prepared for the possibility of severe weather in your area? Understanding the difference between a severe thunderstorm watch and a warning could be the key to your safety and the safety of those around you.
The atmosphere is a dynamic and unpredictable system, and at any given moment, conditions can shift to favor the development of hazardous weather. The National Weather Service (NWS), through its Storm Prediction Center (SPC), is constantly monitoring these conditions, providing forecasts, outlooks, and critical alerts that can help you stay informed and take appropriate action. These alerts include watches and warnings, each with a specific meaning and requiring a distinct response.
To further illustrate these concepts and help you stay informed, consider the following table which outlines key information about severe thunderstorm watches and related terminology, followed by a link to a reputable source for ongoing updates.
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| Term | Definition | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Thunderstorm Watch | Issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. It means severe thunderstorms are possible. | Be aware of the potential for severe weather. Stay informed by monitoring local news, NOAA weather radio, or online resources. Review your safety plan and be prepared to move to a safe location if a warning is issued. |
| Severe Thunderstorm Warning | Issued when a severe thunderstorm has been indicated by radar or has been reported by spotters, and poses an imminent threat. | Take immediate action to protect yourself. Move to a safe location, such as an interior room or basement. Stay away from windows and doors. |
| Tornado Watch | Issued when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in the watch area. | Be prepared. Monitor weather updates and be ready to seek shelter immediately if a tornado warning is issued. |
| Tornado Warning | Issued when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. | Seek shelter immediately. Go to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls. |
| Severe Weather | General term describing hazardous weather events. In the context of thunderstorms, this typically refers to storms that produce large hail (1 inch in diameter or larger) or wind gusts of 58 mph or greater. | Monitor weather updates and follow the guidance provided by watches and warnings. |
For continuous, up-to-the-minute updates, including current watches, warnings, and detailed forecast information, please refer to the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) website, maintained by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The SPC is the primary source for severe weather outlooks and watches in the U.S.: Storm Prediction Center (SPC)
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) is a vital component of the National Weather Service (NWS), and it plays a critical role in the nation's severe weather preparedness. The SPC provides a variety of products, including day 1 convective outlooks, storm reports, forecast tools, and research publications. Their meteorologists work around the clock, monitoring atmospheric conditions that are conducive to the development of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. When conditions become favorable for organized severe thunderstorms or tornadoes to develop, the SPC issues severe thunderstorm or tornado watches.
A severe thunderstorm watch is a crucial alert. It signifies that the atmospheric conditions in and near the watch area are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms. It is not a guarantee that severe weather will occur, but it is a clear signal that the risk is elevated. This is the time to pay close attention to changing weather conditions. The watch area is typically expansive, often covering numerous counties or even entire states. This means that a large population may be affected.
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The issuance of a severe thunderstorm watch is a proactive measure. It encourages the public to stay alert for threatening weather conditions and to be prepared to take appropriate action. This preparation is essential, as the watch may be upgraded to a severe thunderstorm warning. The timing of this upgrade is critical. A severe thunderstorm warning is issued when a severe thunderstorm is imminent or occurring. These warnings are issued based on actual observations either from radar data or reports from trained storm spotters. Severe weather has been reported by spotters, confirming the dangerous conditions in specific areas. These observations provide confirmation that the potentially hazardous conditions described in the watch have materialized.
The definition of a severe thunderstorm is precise: a thunderstorm that produces hail one inch in diameter or larger and/or wind gusts of 58 miles per hour (mph) or greater. These are the minimum criteria used to classify a storm as severe. Wind speeds of this magnitude can cause significant property damage, while large hail can cause serious injury. It is important to remember that even thunderstorms that don't meet these criteria can still be dangerous, as they can produce heavy rain, lightning, and localized flooding.
The NWS uses various tools to monitor weather conditions. Radar plays a pivotal role, allowing meteorologists to observe the intensity and movement of thunderstorms. Storm spotters, often volunteers trained by the NWS, provide valuable ground-level observations. These spotters report hail size, wind damage, and other severe weather phenomena to the NWS. This real-time information is critical for issuing and verifying warnings. A severe thunderstorm watch was last issued for Pierce, Lewis, and Thurston counties in May 2017, indicating the localized nature of these events.
When a severe thunderstorm watch is issued, it is imperative to understand the risks and the recommended safety measures. Acting quickly is key to staying safe and minimizing impacts. Stay informed by listening to local news, a NOAA weather radio, or by consulting online resources such as the Storm Prediction Center website, Fox Weather, and Accuweather. Fox Weather's severe thunderstorm warning map can be a crucial resource for staying safe during severe weather events. Accuweather's severe weather map provides you with a bird's eye view of all of the areas around the globe experiencing any type of severe weather. Be ready to act if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued. Remember, a severe thunderstorm watch means conditions are favorable, and a warning means the threat is happening or is about to happen. Go to your secure location if you hear a severe thunderstorm warning.
The NWS meteorologists continuously monitor conditions. They are watching the weather 24/7 across the entire U.S., using sophisticated technology and employing skilled personnel to provide the public with timely and accurate weather information. This constant vigilance is essential for protecting lives and property. A watch can cover parts of a state or several states.
On Sunday, April 27, 2025, a severe thunderstorm watch was in effect for parts of Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, and Illinois. This highlights the regional nature of severe weather and the importance of staying informed about weather conditions in your specific area. The day 1 convective outlook provides further detail and specific forecasts for these regions. This outlook is a valuable tool for understanding the anticipated severity and location of potential severe weather events.
The terminology related to severe weather can be confusing. It is important to understand the different types of alerts that the NWS issues. Here's a brief overview of some of the most common terms: Toa (Tornado Watch), SVR (Severe Thunderstorm Warning), SVA (Severe Thunderstorm Watch), EWW (Extreme Wind Warning), SVS (Severe Weather Statement), SMW (Special Marine Warning), MWS (Marine Weather Statement), FFW (Convective Flash Flood Warning), FFS (Convective Flash Flood Statement), FLW (Areal Flood Warning), and FLS (Areal Flood Advisory or Areal Flood). Each of these alerts represents a different level of threat and requires a corresponding level of preparedness.
When conditions become favorable for organized severe thunderstorms or tornadoes to develop, the SPC issues a severe thunderstorm or tornado watch. A tornado can occur in either type of watch, but tornado watches are issued when conditions are favorable for either multiple tornadoes or a single intense tornado. Severe weather information is constantly updated by the Storm Prediction Center.
The SPC NCEP (National Centers for Environmental Prediction) provides a comprehensive display of NWS watches, warnings, and advisories. This information is available through various online resources, and clicking on the NWS warnings and advisories map will provide you with more details. The current graphic is a visual representation of any severe thunderstorm and tornado watches in effect over the contiguous United States. Please read about the purpose of the watches for further information and details on all valid watches, which may be found on our current convective watches page.
For example, a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms may be forecast for a specific date, such as Monday, April 28. An outbreak of severe weather is likely across portions of the Midwest and Upper Midwest. Large hail, severe wind gusts, and strong to intense tornadoes are likely. Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are possible across portions of the southern and central plains. For additional details, see the latest day 1 convective outlook. This specific example demonstrates the evolving nature of weather forecasts and the need to stay informed about the latest information. The Day 1 Convective Outlook is a product of the SPC. It outlines the areas where the risk of severe weather is greatest for the current day. This is a valuable tool that is updated frequently to reflect the changing conditions.
The key takeaway is this: a severe thunderstorm watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. Remember that severe thunderstorms are defined as storms with winds of 58 mph or higher and/or hail that is one inch in diameter or larger.
Understanding the information presented in this article is an essential step toward weather safety. By knowing the terminology, monitoring the forecasts, and having a plan, you can significantly reduce your risk during severe weather events. Be proactive, be informed, and be prepared. The safety of you and your family depends on it.
