Do you Know the Difference Between a Watch, a Warning and an Advisory?

Do you know the difference between a watch, a warning and an advisory? Whether you are a new resident to an area or an established one, it’s important to know the terminology that the government agencies will use to communicate information to residents before, during and after a storm or hurricane has passed through the area. https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/surge/warning/

Do you know the difference between a watch, a warning and an advisory?

Storm watches, warnings and advisories are commonly used terms to describe weather conditions, but what is the difference between them?

A Watch: is used when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time so those who need to set their plans in motion can do so. A watch means that hazardous weather is possible. People should have a plan of action in case a storm threatens, and they should listen for later information and possible warnings especially when planning travel or outdoor activities. https://www.weather.gov/sjt/WatchWarningAdvisoryExplained

A Warning: is issued when a hazardous wheatear or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely. A warning means weather conditions pose a threat to life or property. People in the path of the storm need to take protective action. https://www.weather.gov/sjt/WatchWarningAdvisoryExplained

An Advisory: is used when the risk of a hazardous whether or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain. Advisories are for less serious conditions than warnings, that cause significant inconvenience and if caution is not exercised, could lead to situations that may threaten life or property. https://www.weather.gov/sjt/WatchWarningAdvisoryExplained

Here are some common examples of watches, warning and advisories for our area:

Storm surge warning: Is defined as the danger of life-threating inundation from rising water moving inland from shoreline somewhere within the specific area, generally within 36 hours, in association with a tropical, subtropical, or post-tropical cyclone.

Flood warning: Is issued when hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening.

https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood-watch-warning

https://www.weather.gov/media/wrn/FFW-IBW-factsheet.pdf

https://www.weather.gov/phi/stormSurge

Tornado watch: Is issued when a violent tornado has touched down in the watch area. There is a severe threat to human life and property, with catastrophic damage confirmed.

https://www.weather.gov/safety/tornado-ww

Sign Up for Alert Manatee

If you live or work in Manatee County, you’ll want to sign up for Alert Manatee! You’ll receive alerts for emergency updates such as evacuation alerts, boil water advisories, water outages, air quality alerts, sewage spills, evacuation shelter openings, hazardous traffic or road conditions as well as weather alerts from the National Weather Service.

Subscribers can opt to receive notifications by phone call, text, or email.

You can sign up for notifications by creating an account on the Everbridge website here.

For more information about Nelly Nelson, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, please visit: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/manatee/nutrition-and-healthy-living/family-and-consumer-sciences/