Severe weather terminology (United States)
Ok kiddo, let me explain severe weather terminology in the United States in a way you can understand.
When you hear on the news that there is a "severe weather alert," it means weather that can be dangerous and cause harm to people or their property. This type of weather includes things like thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and blizzards.
When weather forecasters think that there might be severe weather, they use special words to help people know how bad it might get.
Let's start with a "watch." Do you know what a watch is for? It's like when grown-ups tell you to "watch out" for something. A severe weather watch means that conditions are right for severe weather to happen. It doesn't mean that it is going to happen, but that it could happen.
Now, let's talk about a "warning." This is one of the most important words to know when it comes to severe weather. A warning means that severe weather is happening RIGHT NOW, or very soon. When you hear a warning, you should take action to protect yourself and your family.
For example, if there is a tornado warning, you should go to a safe place in your home, like a basement or an interior room on the lowest level, and stay there until the warning is over.
There are also different levels of severity when it comes to weather warnings. Let's say you hear there is a "severe thunderstorm warning." This means that there is a thunderstorm with strong winds, hail, and maybe even tornadoes.
Finally, let's talk about a "watch vs. warning." Sometimes you will hear both of these words at the same time for the same type of weather. For example, there might be a "tornado watch" and then later on, a "tornado warning." This means that the conditions for a tornado are right (watch) and then a tornado has been spotted or is imminent (warning).
So, there you have it! With this knowledge, you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe in severe weather situations.
When you hear on the news that there is a "severe weather alert," it means weather that can be dangerous and cause harm to people or their property. This type of weather includes things like thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and blizzards.
When weather forecasters think that there might be severe weather, they use special words to help people know how bad it might get.
Let's start with a "watch." Do you know what a watch is for? It's like when grown-ups tell you to "watch out" for something. A severe weather watch means that conditions are right for severe weather to happen. It doesn't mean that it is going to happen, but that it could happen.
Now, let's talk about a "warning." This is one of the most important words to know when it comes to severe weather. A warning means that severe weather is happening RIGHT NOW, or very soon. When you hear a warning, you should take action to protect yourself and your family.
For example, if there is a tornado warning, you should go to a safe place in your home, like a basement or an interior room on the lowest level, and stay there until the warning is over.
There are also different levels of severity when it comes to weather warnings. Let's say you hear there is a "severe thunderstorm warning." This means that there is a thunderstorm with strong winds, hail, and maybe even tornadoes.
Finally, let's talk about a "watch vs. warning." Sometimes you will hear both of these words at the same time for the same type of weather. For example, there might be a "tornado watch" and then later on, a "tornado warning." This means that the conditions for a tornado are right (watch) and then a tornado has been spotted or is imminent (warning).
So, there you have it! With this knowledge, you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe in severe weather situations.