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Watchs and Warning
National Weather Service WATCH
is a message indicating that conditions favor the occurrence of a certain type of
hazardous weather. For example, a severe thunderstorm watch means that a severe
thunderstorm is expected in the next six hours or so within an area approximately
120 to 150 miles wide and 300 to 400 miles long (36,000 to 60,000 square miles).
The NWS Storm Prediction Center issues such watches. Local NWS forecast offices
issue other watches (flash flood, winter weather, etc.) 12 to 36 hours in advance
of a possible hazardous-weather or flooding event. Each local forecast office usually
covers a state or a portion of a state.
National Weather Service WARNING indicates that a hazardous event is occurring or is imminent
in about 30 minutes to an hour. Local National Weather Service forecast offices
issue warnings on a county-by-county basis.
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