When a Severe Thunderstorm Watch or warning hits your phone, a lot of people still don’t know the difference between what a warning and a watch is.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is only issued when severe thunderstorms are possible in or near the watch area, roughly a 25 mile radius outside of the Severe Thunderstorm Watch that could also be impacted. They cover a large area and will last several hours.
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are issued once severe weather has been seen by spotters or is indicated by radar. Warnings mean immediate danger to life and property does exist.
Shown in the image below, there are also three different types of warnings. This is a new thing from the national weather service where a “Base” warning contains 58+ mph wind gusts and or quarter sized hail.
They could upgrade that to a “Considerable” Severe Thunderstorm Warning, which contains 70+ mph winds or golf ball sized hail. Or they could upgrade it even further to a “Destructive” Severe Thunderstorm Warning, that contains 80+ mph wind gusts and/or baseball sized hail.
Something else that’s new is that the “Base” warning and the “Considerable” warnings will not ping your phone, but the “Destructive” warnings here will trigger the wireless emergency alert system (WEA). So make sure whenever you do get a word on your phone for a severe thunderstorm warning, make sure you take shelter.
Watch the full video below!
