Washington (DC News Now) — Winter is slowly coming to an end, however, spring will be knocking on our door.
As temperatures rise, the chances of severe weather also increase.
During the warmer months, on days of active weather, you'll often hear meteorologists say “A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued” or “The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Warning for these locations.” But what is the difference between a watch and a warning?
Let's start with a hurricane watch. When a tornado watch is issued, it means there is a possibility of a tornado.
When the National Weather Service issues a watch, there are a few things you want to make sure you do to keep you and your loved ones safe:
- Make sure you are ready.
- Know your emergency plan, which means you should know where you need to go to stay safe if the hurricane passes
- Stay away from windows and doors
- Make sure all your electronic devices are charged so you can have ways to get the latest weather updates and know when it's safe.
- Make sure you have your emergency kit nearby
Now, when a tornado warning is issued, you should go and take shelter immediately. This means heading to your safe place and acting according to your emergency plan. When a warning is in effect, it means that a funnel has been spotted or a tornado is indicated on radar.
According to the National Weather Service, a severe thunderstorm warning is issued when storms are likely to become severe. It is important for you to stay aware of the changing weather. Severe thunderstorm hours tend to cover a large area.
When the National Severe Thunderstorm Advisory issues a severe thunderstorm warning, it's time to take action and find shelter. When radar or trained weather spotters indicate a severe storm, it may mean that the storm could produce hail, strong winds, and possibly a tornado. Warnings tend to cover a smaller area.
