Dickinson County Emergency Management

Remember: A watch means conditions are favorable for bad weather. A warning means that bad weather is occurring now or about to occur.

The National Weather Service issues watches and warnings for many different conditions including thunderstorms, floods, snow storms, and extreme heat or cold.

	Watch	Warning
Tornado	A Tornado Watch is issued by the storm prediction center in Norman Oklahoma. Tornado Watches are issued for a large area and last 4 to 8 hours. They are usually put out before the occurrence of the severe weather event. A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in and close to the watch area. If you are in or around a tornado watch you should stay tuned to your local media.	A Tornado Warning is issued when a tornado has been indicated by radar or has been spotted on the ground. Updates on Tornado Warnings are transmitted under Severe Weather Statements.
Severe Thunderstorm	A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is also issued by the storm prediction center in Norman Oklahoma. Severe Thunderstorm Watches are issued for a large area and last 4 to 8 hours. They are usually put out before the occurrence of the severe weather event. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for damaging winds of 58 mph or greater, hail to the size of 3/4 inch or greater, deadly cloud to ground lighting and possibly torrential rains.	Issued when a Severe Thunderstorm is occurring or imminent in the warning area. Severe Thunderstorms are defined as having damaging winds equal to or greater than 58 mph, and hail equal to or greater than three-quarters of an inch diameter. Frequent lightning and heavy rains are not included in the definition of a severe thunderstorm. Updates on Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are transmitted under Severe Weather Statements.
Flood	Flood watches inform the public of hydrometeorological conditions which may cause flooding when the flooding is neither certain nor imminent. Flood watches may cover states, counties, rivers, portions of states, portions of counties, or portions of rivers (e.g., one or more forecast points). Flood Watches provide advance notice and up-to-date information on the possibility of flooding within 36 hours.	Flood warnings are issued for any high flow, overflow, or inundation not covered by flash flood warning products. There are two general types of flood warnings - areal flood warnings and river flood warnings issued for specific forecast points. Flood warnings for forecast points usually include information on the impacts of expected flooding at locations upstream and/or downstream from covered forecast point(s) on a river or stream. Areal flood warnings are issued for areas along rivers and streams not associated with a forecast point, or for counties or portions of counties (with the areas covered described in the same way as for flash flood warnings).
Flash Flood	Indicates that flash flooding is a possibility in or close to the watch area. Those in the affected area are urged to be ready to take action if a flash flood warning is issued or flooding is observed. These watches are issued for flooding that is expected to occur within 6 hours after the heavy rains have ended.	A flood warning issued for life/property threatening flooding that will occur within 6 hours. It could be issued for rural or urban areas as well as for areas along the major rivers. Very heavy rain in a short period of time can lead to flash flooding, depending on local terrain, ground cover, degree of urbanization, amount of man-made changes to the natural river banks, and initial ground or river conditions. Dam breaks or ice jams can also create flash flooding.
Winter Storm	Alerts the public to the possibility of a blizzard, heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet. Winter Storm Watches are usually issued 12 to 48 hours before the beginning of a Winter Storm.	Issued when hazardous winter weather in the form of heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is imminent or occurring. Winter Storm Warnings are usually issued 12 to 24 hours before the event is expected to begin.

Sources: NWS