Severe Weather 101
Question: What is the difference between a watch and a warning.
A watch means that severe weather is possible in the watch area or just outside the watch area. This picture is courtesy of the Storm Prediction Center, and
Severe Weather 101
Question: What is the difference between a watch and a warning.
A watch means that severe weather is possible in the watch area or just outside the watch area. This picture is courtesy of the Storm Prediction Center, and this watch was posted for my area on February 28th. Watches include multiple counties, and it can stretch into other states as you see this watch is in Illinois, parts of Iowa and Missouri.
Sometimes there is something called a PDS watch, Particularly Dangerous Situation. Most of these watches are issued when the SPC risk is either Moderate or High risk. These watches mean that there is a danger to life with in the area.
A warning means that a storm has become severe or tornadic on radar, or that there were reports of severe weather damage or tornadoes reported on the ground with this storm.
This warning was issued the same night of Feb 28th. Unlike watches warnings include parts of counties, and not a vast area of counties. You might hear something about polygon warnings, and that means the warning