What Weather Watches and Warnings Mean

Have you ever been watching television or listening to the radio and have an emergency weather alert interrupt your programming?  If you have, did you listen to the alert in question?  If you did, what action did you take?  Unfortunately, there are many individuals who mistakenly believe that weather watches and warning are weather alerts that they do not need to take seriously.  For many individuals, this thinking has the potential to lead to dangerous, serious consequences.

When it comes to weather watches and weather warnings, many individuals wonder what they are.  Generally speaking, weather watches, such as severe thunderstorm watches, are instances in which severe weather is likely to occur.  Often times, watches cover a generalized area, such as a whole county, not just a particularly city or town.  On the other hand, severe weather warnings tend to be more targeted.  That is because severe weather warnings are issued when severe weather, such as a thunderstorm or tornado, is imminent.  This mean the weather event in question will occur.

Now that you are more familiar with weather watches and warnings, you should also take steps to understand their importance.  One of the many reasons why weather warnings go unnoticed is because of watches.  As previously stated, weather watches are issued when there is a medium to high chance of severe weather.  Many times, the cities and towns inside of a weather watch box do not experience any severe weather.  In a way, this has desensitized many individuals.  Of course, it is also possible for a simple weather watch to turn into a warning in a matter of minutes.  That is why you should always listen to weather alerts, whether you see them online, on the television, or hear them on the radio.

As for what action should be taken, you will find that it all depends on the situation at hand.  If you ever find yourself in the middle of a severe weather watch, such as one for a thunderstorm, winter storm, or tornado, you will want to simply keep your eyes and ears open.  Examine the weather outdoors for any drastic changes and stay up-to-date on all weather alerts, as many are regularly updated in cases of extreme severe weather, such as tornados.  It may also be a good idea to gather a few supplies, such as flashlight and batteries, water, and a few snacks.

As for severe weather warnings, the action that you take should all depend on the weather event in question.  This is important as flash flood, tornadoes, snow and ice storms, as well as hurricanes should all be handled differently.  In the event that you find yourself in the middle of a tornado warning, it is advised that you either retreat to your basement or a safe interior and window free room in your home.  As for severe thunderstorms, it is important that you stay away from all windows and have emergency backup lights and heat, just in case of a power outage.  The same can be said for snow and ice storms; you will want to plan to be stranded inside of your home, possibly even for days.

In keeping with the actions that you should take during asevere weather warning, it is important to pay attention to all hurricane warnings.  We have seen in the past just how horrific hurricanes can be. They pose an enormous amount of danger, even when you prepare for them.  A hurricane warning may call for an evacuation. The same can be said for flooding.  If you are able to safely get out of your home during a flood, you will want to do so.

As outlined above, it is important to that you carefully listen to all severe weather watches and warnings that may be issued in your area.  This is particularly the case in weather events that have the ability to become natural disasters, such as hurricanes and tornadoes.  To stay up-to-date with the weather in your area, especially during severe weather, you will want to have a battery operated weather radio on hand at all times.

What to Do When Severe Weather Strikes

Does the weather concern you?  If you live in an area that is known for hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, or snowstorms, the weather may be a great concern of yours.  As for that concern, many are concerned with severe weather.

When it comes to severe weather, you may be wondering what you should do.  What actions should you take during severe weather?  If this is a question that you have asked yourself before, you will want to continue reading on.  A few helpful tips and suggestions are outlined below and these helpful pointers may be able to help get you through your next bout of bad, severe weather.

As previously stated, severe weather encompasses a number of different events, such as thunderstorms, floods, hurricanes, snow storms, and tornadoes.  The weather event or events that you are faced with should have a significant impact on your actions.  After all, the above mentioned weather situations are ones that all need to be handled differently. 

As we have seen in the past, hurricanes can be horrific and deadly.  If you are faced with a hurricane, the good news is that you should have some warning.  Many meteorologists are able to predict hurricanes and their intended routes at least two or three days in advance.  This is nice, as many other weather events, especially tornadoes, many not give any warning at all.

If you ever find yourself in the path of a hurricane, it is important that you take action right away, even if you have a few days before landfall.  Waiting until the last minute to evacuate may result in a gas shortage, as well traffic backups.  Although you may only have a small or weak hurricane approaching your home, it may still be a good idea to evacuate.  This is particular important if your home is located in an area that is prone to flooding or if you live along the coast.

In addition to hurricanes, another severe weather event that you may be concerned with is that of tornadoes.  As previously stated, tornados can be dangerous and deadly weather events, as you often receive little or no warning at all.  Although you may not know when a tornado is approaching, many meteorologists are able to predict where conditions are favorable for tornadoes.  If you ever find yourself in a tornado watch or warning, you will want to take action right away.

As previously stated, you may not have much warning, if any at all, when a tornado is ready to strike.  This means that you will want to prepare for a tornado as much as possible ahead of time, especially if you live in areas that are prone to them.  One of the best ways to preplan for a tornado involves having a plan.  This plan should include an area that you and your family can meet in the event of a tornado.  This area should be a room that is enclosed, in the interior of your home, as well as one that is window free.  It may also have a good idea have padding on hand, such as sofa cushions or extra blankets, to protect you from falling debris.

Another one of the many weather events that you will want to prepare for is that of flooding.  What is frustrating about flooding is that it can happen in just about every area.  Although specific areas are prone to flooding, you will find that others are prone to flash floods.  Whether you find yourself in a slow rising flood or a flash flood, it is important that you take action right away.  This action involves safely getting out of your home and to higher ground.  If you suspect that your property may flood, you may want to raise your belongings or remove your valuables from your home, but don’t put yourself in danger just to so.

The above mentioned actions are just a few of the many ways that you can handle, as well as prepare for severe weather that you find yourself in the middle of.  As a reminder, meteorologists are often able to predict many weather events, so listen and take into consideration any watches or warning that you may hear on the radio, read online, or see on television.