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Criteria

Severe Weather Watch

There is moderate confidence that specified severe weather event may occur within the time frame specified.

Severe Weather Warning

There is high confidence that the specified severe weather event is imminent or occuring.

A severe weather watch or warning will usually be issued when one or more of the following weather conditions are possible:

PDS* Severe Weather Warning

There is high confidence that extreme weather conditions are imminent or occuring, and that these conditions pose a significant threat to life, property, travel, and / or infrastructure.

A PDS Severe Weather Warning may be issued when one or more of the following conditions are expected:

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

There is moderate confidence of severe thunderstorms occuring within the timeframe specified

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

There is high confidence that severe thunderstorms are imminent or occuring.

A severe thunderstorm watch or warning will usually be issued when thunderstorms accompanied by one or more of the following conditions are possible:

PDS* Severe Thunderstorm Warning

There is high confidence that extremely violent thunderstorms are imminent or occuring, and that these storms pose a significant threat to life, property, travel, and / or infrastructure.

A PDS Severe Thunderstorm Warning may be issued when one or more of the following conditions are expected:

*PDS = Potentially Dangerous Situation

Our Icons Explained

Heavy rain and flooding not expected
Moderate risk of heavy rain, local flooding
High risk of disruptive rain, severe flash flooding
High winds not expected
Moderate risk of high winds
High risk of damaging winds
Severe winter weather not expected
Moderate risk of severe winter weather
Severe, disruptive winter weather likely
Severe thunderstorms not expected
Scattered, locally severe thunderstorms possible
Severe, violent thunderstorms likely