SWAW, Day 2 Part 2: Description of Summer Watches and Warnings

It's Severe Weather Awareness Week in MN and WI, which means its time to start going over what everything is again and what precautions to take when severe weather strikes. The Storm Prediction Center is now charting out a possibility of strong to severe storms on Thursday, with the main threats being damaging winds and hail (for more on those severe weather events, check out yesterdays topic), so now is as good as time as any to relearn what we do in summertime, like how we have to relearn the winter warnings (and how to drive) in the winter. Remember, throughout the summer we'll cover it the best we can on Facebook and Twitter. Today's topic, brought to you by the National Weather Service, is Severe Weather Watches and Warnings, and I wasn't satisfied on what the NWS put together for today. This information also comes from the NWS, but it describes WHAT each watch and warning means -- We'll talk both tornado and severe thunderstorm today, floods on Wednesday (topic of Flash Floods), tornado again Thursday (Tornado day), and heat on Friday (to go along with topic of Heat Waves).

Watches... (Conditions are favorable or expected but not occurring or imminent.)

Atmospheric conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms (i.e. – producing hail at least 1.00 inches in diameter and/or 50 knot [58 mph] or greater wind speeds).


Atmospheric conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes.

Warnings... (Conditions are occurring or imminent.)

A severe thunderstorm has developed, capable of producing hail greater than 1.00 inches in diameter and/or 50 knot (58 mph) wind speeds.


A severe thunderstorm has developed and has either produced a tornado or radar has indicated intense low level rotation in the presence of atmospheric conditions conducive to tornado development.

Advisories...
Significant Weather Alert... A thunderstorm has developed and is capable of producing hail and gusty winds that approach but do not reach those contained in a severe thunderstorm, such as pea sized hail and 40 to 50 mph winds.