When it comes to the weather, there are two types of people: those who routinely check their weather app and tune into TV forecasts, and those who wing it. And most of the time, skipping the weather report doesn’t come with major consequences. Sure, you might leave your umbrella at home on a day with afternoon rain, or wear a heavy jacket on a warm spring day, but usually only your comfort is at stake.
Sometimes, however, things take a more serious turn, and there’s the potential for severe weather. To alert the public to possible threats, meteorologists use specific phrases that are designed to perk up your ears and demand your attention. But cutting through the technical jargon and media hype can be difficult, and it’s not always clear what action you should take. In fact, the lingo can be so confusing that you may find yourself tuning it out altogether.
Don’t. The terms meteorologists and other public safety experts use are part of a critical system designed to let the public—even those who don’t typically pay attention to the forecast—be alert to potential severe weather. These important weather terms are specifically chosen to relay critical information quickly, and there is definitely one that you should never ignore.
So, how well versed are you in weather-alert terminology? Do you know what to do when you hear them? Ahead, meteorologist Heather Zons, a principal weather producer at the Weather Channel, breaks down the important alerts you need to know. Your safety could be at stake, so please keep reading.
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What phrase should you always take seriously from your meteorologist?
When a meteorologist says there’s a weather warning, take it seriously. A warning means severe weather is imminent or happening currently, Zons says, and you need to take immediate action (don’t worry, we’ll talk about what to do coming up).
But there are two other levels that come before a warning, and they have to do with timing and storm development: “For the National Weather Service (NWS), you start with a watch for whichever extreme weather impact they are anticipating,” Zons explains. “For example, an extreme cold watch or flash flood watch means they are expecting those described conditions to begin within the next 48 hours.”
Then, depending on how the storm or event is tracking, the NWS could advance the watch to either an advisory or the more severe warning. “An advisory is less severe than a warning, but both aim to make you aware of the impacts happening shortly or currently—a warning having more urgency,” Zons says.
So, what’s the point of having a warning system like this?
“Having three distinct alert levels can help the general public understand how the weather is going to impact them, without getting into the nitty gritty of ‘how much,’” Zons explains. The words watch, advisory and warning are designed to quickly provide necessary information that you need to take action, without overexplaining.
Weather alerts are also highly location-dependent. “The local National Weather Service offices have an intimate awareness of the area they are covering, so they know which level to give a particular situation in that area.” For instance, local NWS offices know that an inch of snow in Minneapolis doesn’t require the same urgency and resources as an inch of snow in Atlanta.
What does this look like in winter?
If a winter storm is approaching, the NWS gets to work. “We start with a winter storm watch, and using the word ‘storm’ is not something to take lightly,” Zons says. “It’s designed to tell the public, ‘There could be a winter storm in your area within 48 hours, so you should be aware of that now and start making or changing your plans.’”
As the weather event approaches, a winter storm watch will either become a winter weather advisory or a winter storm warning. “On top of those winter storm warnings, there could also be added impacts, like a blizzard or ice storm warning,” Zons says. “Giving the most detail possible to the public without confusing them during this phase is both a necessity and an art form.”
Here are the NWS alert levels for winter storms:
- Winter storm watch: Typically issued at least 24 hours in advance of a winter storm, this indicates that there’s at least a 50% chance of a hazardous winter event occurring. The occurrence, location and/or timing of the event is still uncertain.
- Winter weather advisory: Issued for one or more of the following: 3 to 5 inches of snow in 12 hours, sleet accumulation up to a quarter-inch and blowing snow or freezing rain in combination with sleet and/or snow.
- Winter storm warning: Heavy snow of at least 6 inches in 12 hours, or at least 8 inches in 24 hours, is expected, and/or sleet accumulation will be at least a half-inch.
What other major winter weather events does the NWS track?
Here are additional watches, advisories and warnings that may also be issued during the winter (note that not all weather events have three levels of alerts):
Blizzards and ice storms
- Blizzard watch: Conditions suggest a blizzard could happen, which would mean low visibility (less than a quarter of a mile) with winds of at least 35 miles per hour.
- Blizzard warning: Blizzard conditions are expected for at least three hours.
- Ice storm warning: Ice accumulation of at least a quarter-inch is expected.
Frost and freezing events
- Freeze watch: There is a potential for significant, widespread freezing temperatures within the next 24 to 36 hours.
- Frost advisory: The minimum temperature is forecast to be 33 to 36 degrees on clear and calm nights during the growing season.
- Freezing rain advisory: Ice accumulation of up to a quarter-inch is expected.
- Freeze warning: Significant, widespread freezing temperatures are expected.
What do weather watches, advisories and warnings look like for other potentially dangerous weather?
Currently, the NWS manages more than two dozen weather alerts. “Through the years, these alerts have become more refined as forecasting and social science improve,” Zons says. “For example, wind chill watches and warnings were discontinued a few years ago and replaced by extreme cold watches and warnings. It’s continually changing.”
Here are other alerts that the NWS may issue throughout the year, grouped by storm type. Again, not all weather events have three levels of alerts:
Thunderstorms
- Severe thunderstorm watch: Storms are possible in the area, with winds of 58 mph or higher and/or hail 1 inch in diameter or larger.
- Severe thunderstorm warning: Storms with winds of 58 mph or higher and/or hail 1 inch in diameter or larger are occurring or imminent.
Tornadoes
- Tornado watch: Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible in your area.
- Tornado warning: A tornado is occurring or imminent.
Hurricanes
- Hurricane watch: A tropical cyclone with winds of 74 mph or higher poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours. Winds may be accompanied by storm surge and flooding.
- Hurricane warning: Sustained cyclone winds of 74 mph or higher are expected in 36 hours or less. Storm surge, coastal flooding and/or river flooding could occur. Even if winds drop, the warning could continue if dangerously high water or waves are present.
Flash floods
- Flash flood watch: Conditions are favorable for flash flooding.
- Flash flood warning: Flash flooding is imminent or occurring. Flash flood warnings have three categories: base, considerable and catastrophic, depending on the severity.
Coastal flooding
- Coastal flood watch: Moderate to major coastal flooding is possible.
- Coastal flood advisory: Minor or nuisance coastal flooding is occurring or imminent.
- Coastal flood warning: Moderate to major coastal flooding is occurring or imminent, posing a serious risk to life and property.
Cold weather (formerly wind chill)
- Cold weather advisory: Issued when temperatures or wind chill are expected to fall below a specific temperature set by individual local NWS offices.
- Extreme cold warning: Issued when temperatures or wind chill are expected to fall below a specific temperature set by individual local NWS offices.
Wind and fog
- Dense fog advisory: Widespread fog is expected to reduce visibility to a quarter-mile or less over a large area for two or more hours.
- Wind advisory: Sustained winds of 31 to 39 mph are expected for an hour or more and/or wind gusts of 46 to 57 mph for any duration.
- Extreme wind warning: Surface winds of 115 mph or greater associated with a derecho or hurricane are expected to occur within one hour; does not apply to tornadoes.
What should you do in each of these warning stages?
The NWS distinguishes between a watch, advisory and warning so the public is aware of the current threat level and knows what action to take. Here’s what to do:
- Watch: Keep an eye on the weather reports, and start preparing for the forecasted weather event.
- Advisory: Be prepared to take action. Conditions pose a significant inconvenience and could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.
- Warning: Take action: Stay home and off the roads, or move to a safe place away from dangerous severe weather. Conditions pose a threat to life or property, and travel will become difficult to impossible.
What is the most important thing to remember about weather alerts?
It’s critical to understand the urgency of each alert level, Zons says. For example, a watch is the lowest level of severity and not a reason to panic. “I’ve seen people think that a tornado watch means they are currently watching a tornado,” Zons says. But that’s not the case.
As the alert system evolves, Zons hopes that the public’s understanding of it grows. “There is always work being done on the social science side of things, and I hope we can reach a point where every person is informed about the weather impacts that are coming their way at any given moment,” she says.
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Sources:
- Heather Zons, meteorologist and principal weather producer at the Weather Channel; email interview, Feb. 11, 2026
- National Weather Service: “What Is the Difference Between a Winter Storm Watch, Warning, and Advisory?”
- National Weather Service: “Watch Warning Advisory Explained”
- National Weather Service: “Watch/Warning/Advisory Definitions”
- National Weather Service: “Understanding Heat Alerts”
- National Weather Service: “Impact Based Flash Flood Warnings & WEA Changes”
- National Weather Service: “Understanding Wind Chill”
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