| >Flood
Watch |
| High
flow or overflow of water from a river is possible in the given
time period. It can also apply to heavy runoff or drainage of
water into low-lying areas. These watches are generally issued
for flooding that is expected to occur at least 6 hours after
heavy rains have ended. |
| >Flood
Warning |
| Flooding
conditions are actually occurring or are imminent in the warning
area. |
| >Flash
Flood Watch |
| Flash
flooding is possible in or close to the watch area. Flash Flood
Watches are generally issued for flooding that is expected to
occur within 6 hours after heavy rains have ended. |
| >Flash
Flood Warning |
| Flash
flooding is actually occurring or imminent in the warning area.
It can be issued as a result of torrential rains, a dam failure,
or ice jam. |
| >Tornado
Watch |
| Conditions
are conducive to the development of tornadoes in and close to
the watch area. |
| >Tornado
Warning |
| A tornado
has actually been sighted by spotters or indicated on radar
and is occurring or imminent in the warning area. |
| >Severe
Thunderstorm Watch |
| Conditions
are conducive to the development of severe thunderstorms in
and close to the watch area. |
| >Severe
Thunderstorm Warning |
| A severe
thunderstorm has actually been observed by spotters or indicated
on radar, and is occurring or imminent in the warning area. |
| >Tropical
Storm Watch |
| Tropical
storm conditions with sustained winds from 39 to 73 mph are
possible in the watch area within the next 36 hours. |
| >Tropical
Storm Warning |
| Tropical
storm conditions are expected in the warning area within the
next 24 hours. |
| >Hurricane
Watch |
| Hurricane
conditions (sustained winds greater than 73 mph) are possible
in the watch area within 36 hours. |
| >Hurricane
Warning |
| A hurricane
warning is issued when a hurricane with sustained winds of 74
miles per hour or higher is expected in a specified coastal
area in 24 hours or less. A hurricane warning can remain in
effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously
high water and exceptionally high waves continues, even though
the winds may have subsided below hurricane intensity. |
