Know Your Watches and Warnings

Now, that we’ve discussed the basics of hurricanes, the components of such storms, where they form, their stages of development, and what factors influence their development or decay, it’s time to learn the differences between the various watches and warnings used for tropical systems such as hurricanes.

Tropical Storm Watch – Signals tropical storm conditions, or winds 39 mph or greater are possible in the watch area within 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Warning – Indicates that tropical storm force winds between 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph), are expected in the warned area within 24 hours.

Hurricane Watch – This implies that hurricane conditions, or winds 74 mph or greater are possible in the watch area within 36 hours.

Hurricane Warning – Suggests that hurricane-force winds of 64 knots (74 mph) or greater are expected in the warned area within 24 hours. This warning can remain in effect if there is still dangerously high water, or a combination of high water and waves even though hurricane-force winds have subsided.

Storm Surge Watch – The possibility of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline somewhere within the specified area, generally within 48 hours, in association with an ongoing tropical storm or hurricane, potential tropical cyclone, a subtropical cyclone or a post-tropical cyclone.

Storm Surge Warning – The danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline somewhere within the specified area, generally within 36 hours, in association with an ongoing tropical storm or hurricane, potential tropical cyclone, a subtropical cyclone or a post-tropical cyclone.