Loafy's Blog

A watch is an advance reminder that conditions are favorable for potential severe or tornadic development (depending on whether it is a sever storm watch or a tornado watch, however when a tornado watch is issued it should also be noted that non-tornadic severe storms are both possible and likely). Watches typically cover multi-county areas and have a multiple hour timespan. They are simply a reminder and broad indication that threatening weather could and may develop. A watch is issued by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman, Oklahoma.

A warning means that imminent severe or tornadic weather is taking place. Warnings are much more locally defined and are projected along the path of the severe or tornadic storm. Warnings typically are accompanied by alerts to seek shelter immediately, and should be heeded with the up most importance. A warning in your area could mean that life threatening weather is headed your way in a matter of minutes. As opposed to watches; warnings are issued locally by your National Weather Service office. Areas in a line starting in the Triad and going east are covered by the NWS in Raleigh. Northwest of the Triad is covered by Blacksburg, VA. Areas further south and southwest of the Triad are covered by the Greeneville/Spartanburg, SC NWS.