With the severe weather season fast approaching, we thought it might be a good idea to explain a couple of things about weather bulletins.
Do You Know the Difference?
WATCH essentially means there is a chance this condition will happen and usually covers a large geographical area for a lengthy time period.
WARNING means the said weather is already occurring or is likely to occur and to take proper protective measures. Warnings are usually issued for much smaller geographical areas and usually for shorter more definite time periods.
ADVISORIES are sort of in between a WATCH and WARNING. The expected weather condition has a pretty good chance of occurring, even a likely chance of occurring, but typically an advisory is used for less severe type of weather conditions. A Wind Advisory might be issued or a Freezing Rain Advisory issued instead of a High Wind Warning or an Ice Storm Warning.