Summer Weather

​​SPRING/SUMMER WEATHER TERMS

It is very important to understand the difference between a severe weather WATCH and WARNING.  WATCHES and WARNINGS are issued for Tornadoes, Severe Thunderstorms, or Flash Floods.  The term WATCH implies that people should be alert for the possibility of severe weather, or flash flooding, and have a plan of action in case a storm threatens.  When a WARNING is issued by the National Weather Service, this means that a tornado, severe thunderstorm, or flash flood has been detected by radar or observed by trained storm spotters (SKYWARN).  These warnings are for short-fuse events that only last an hour or so.  People in the path of the storm are expected to take action to protect life and property when the term WARNING is heard.  The following is a list of watches, warnings, and advisories that the NWS issues and the criteria used for issuing them:

Emergency Management