Severe Weather Alerts Explained

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  1. Severe Weather Alerts Explained

Severe weather events pose a significant threat to life and property. Understanding the different types of weather alerts, what they mean, and how to respond is crucial for safety. This article provides a comprehensive guide to severe weather alerts, designed for beginners, covering terminology, alert levels, specific hazard types, recommended actions, and resources for staying informed. This information is intended to supplement, not replace, official guidance from your local National Weather Service office.

Understanding the Basics

Weather alerts are issued by the National Weather Service (NWS), along with state and local authorities, to warn the public of potentially hazardous weather conditions. These alerts are disseminated through a variety of channels, including radio, television, mobile apps, and the Emergency Alert System. It's important to understand the different levels of alerts, as they indicate varying degrees of threat.

  • **Watch:** A watch means that conditions are *favorable* for a particular type of severe weather to develop in the watch area. It doesn’t mean severe weather *is* happening, but that you should be prepared. Think of a watch as a “be aware” message. Continue with your normal activities, but stay informed and monitor weather updates. Watches typically cover a larger geographical area and a longer period of time.
  • **Warning:** A warning means that severe weather *is* happening or *is imminent* in the warning area. This is a serious situation that requires immediate action to protect life and property. Warnings typically cover a smaller geographical area and a shorter duration than watches.
  • **Advisory:** An advisory indicates conditions that cause significant inconvenience and may be hazardous if caution is not exercised. Advisories are less severe than watches and warnings. Examples include Winter Weather Advisories for accumulating snow or ice and Heat Advisories for excessively high temperatures.

These classifications are the fundamental building blocks for understanding the severity of the threat. Ignoring a watch can lead to being unprepared for a warning, and disregarding a warning can have life-threatening consequences.

Alert Dissemination Methods

Staying informed about severe weather requires utilizing multiple sources of information. Here are some common methods:

  • **NOAA Weather Radio:** This is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting weather information directly from the NWS. It's a reliable source of alerts, especially during power outages. Many radios have Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) technology, allowing you to program it to only receive alerts for your specific county. See NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards for details.
  • **Television and Radio:** Local television and radio stations frequently interrupt programming to broadcast weather alerts.
  • **Mobile Apps:** Numerous weather apps are available for smartphones and tablets, providing real-time alerts and forecasts. Popular options include those from The Weather Channel, AccuWeather, and the NWS itself. Ensure your app has location-based alerts enabled.
  • **Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA):** WEA are text-message-like alerts sent to mobile phones in targeted geographic areas. These alerts are used for severe weather warnings, AMBER Alerts, and Presidential Alerts. WEA alerts are designed to reach the greatest number of people quickly.
  • **Social Media:** The NWS and local emergency management agencies often use social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to disseminate weather information.
  • **Local Emergency Management Agencies:** Your local emergency management agency is a valuable resource for information about severe weather preparedness and local alert systems.

It’s crucial to have redundancy in your alert systems. Relying on a single source could leave you uninformed if that source fails.

Specific Hazard Types and Associated Alerts

Different types of severe weather require different types of alerts. Here's a breakdown of common hazard types and their corresponding alerts:

  • **Thunderstorms:**
   * **Severe Thunderstorm Watch:** Conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms in the watch area. Severe thunderstorms are defined as those with winds of 58 mph or greater and/or hail of 1 inch in diameter or greater.
   * **Severe Thunderstorm Warning:** A severe thunderstorm is occurring or imminent in the warning area.  Seek shelter immediately.  This often includes damaging winds, large hail, and potentially tornadoes.
  • **Tornadoes:**
   * **Tornado Watch:** Conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in the watch area.
   * **Tornado Warning:** A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar in the warning area.  Seek shelter immediately.  This is a life-threatening situation. See Tornado Safety for detailed instructions.
  • **Hurricanes & Tropical Storms:**
   * **Hurricane Watch:** Hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or greater) are *possible* within the specified area within 48 hours.
   * **Hurricane Warning:** Hurricane conditions are *expected* within the specified area within 36 hours.
   * **Tropical Storm Watch:** Tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39-73 mph) are *possible* within the specified area within 48 hours.
   * **Tropical Storm Warning:** Tropical storm conditions are *expected* within the specified area within 36 hours.
  • **Winter Weather:**
   * **Winter Storm Watch:** Conditions are favorable for a significant accumulation of snow, sleet, or freezing rain.
   * **Winter Storm Warning:** A significant accumulation of snow, sleet, or freezing rain is occurring or imminent.
   * **Blizzard Warning:** Sustained winds of 35 mph or greater and considerable falling and/or blowing snow reducing visibility to ¼ mile or less for at least 3 hours.
   * **Ice Storm Warning:**  Accumulation of at least 0.25 inches of ice on exposed surfaces.
  • **Flooding:**
   * **Flood Watch:** Conditions are favorable for flooding in the watch area.
   * **Flood Warning:** Flooding is occurring or imminent.
   * **Flash Flood Watch:** Conditions are favorable for flash flooding in the watch area. Flash flooding is rapid-onset flooding.
   * **Flash Flood Warning:** Flash flooding is occurring or imminent.
  • **Extreme Heat:**
   * **Excessive Heat Watch:** Conditions are favorable for an extended period of dangerously hot temperatures.
   * **Excessive Heat Warning:**  An extended period of dangerously hot temperatures is occurring or imminent.
   * **Heat Advisory:**  Hot conditions are expected, but not as extreme as an Excessive Heat Warning.

Understanding the specific terminology associated with each hazard is essential for appropriate response. For example, a Flash Flood Warning demands a more immediate and urgent response than a Flood Watch.

Recommended Actions During Alerts

The appropriate response to a severe weather alert depends on the type of alert and the specific hazard. Here's a general guide:

  • **During a Watch:**
   * Stay informed: Monitor weather updates from reliable sources.
   * Review your emergency plan: Ensure you have a designated shelter and a supply kit.
   * Secure outdoor objects: Bring in loose items that could be blown away by strong winds.
  • **During a Warning:**
   * **Thunderstorm Warning:** Seek shelter indoors in a sturdy building. Stay away from windows and electrical appliances.
   * **Tornado Warning:**  Go to a basement, storm cellar, or interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Cover your head and neck.
   * **Hurricane/Tropical Storm Warning:** Evacuate if ordered by local authorities. Otherwise, stay indoors and away from windows.
   * **Winter Storm Warning:** Stay indoors. If you must go outside, dress warmly and avoid prolonged exposure.
   * **Flood Warning/Flash Flood Warning:**  Move to higher ground immediately. Do not drive through flooded areas.  "Turn Around, Don't Drown!"
   * **Extreme Heat Warning:** Stay indoors in an air-conditioned environment. Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid strenuous activity.

Always follow the instructions of local emergency management officials. They are best equipped to provide guidance specific to your area.

Building a Home Emergency Kit

Having a well-stocked emergency kit is crucial for surviving a severe weather event. Here's a list of essential items:

  • Water: One gallon per person per day for at least three days.
  • Food: Non-perishable food for at least three days.
  • First aid kit: Including bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any necessary medications.
  • Flashlight: With extra batteries.
  • Radio: Battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA Weather Radio.
  • Whistle: To signal for help.
  • Dust mask: To help filter contaminated air.
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties: For personal sanitation.
  • Wrench or pliers: To turn off utilities.
  • Manual can opener: For opening canned food.
  • Local maps: In case GPS is unavailable.
  • Cell phone charger: Portable power bank.
  • Cash: ATMs may not be functioning during a power outage.
  • Important documents: Copies of insurance policies, identification, and medical records.

Regularly check and replenish your emergency kit to ensure that items are not expired or damaged.

Staying Informed: Resources and Links

Further information and analysis can be found at these resources:



Emergency Preparedness Weather Forecasting Severe Weather Safety Disaster Relief Climate Change Tornado Preparedness Hurricane Preparedness Flood Safety Winter Weather Safety NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards

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