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Severe weather can develop quickly.
Advances in forecasting
allow the NOAA National Weather Service
to predict severe weather...
before there’s even a cloud in the sky.
Severe thunderstorm and tornado watches give you
advance notice that conditions are favorable
for dangerous weather.
When your area is in a watch,
be sure to stay alert for changing weather.
Remember, a watch is not a warning.
A warning is only issued when severe weather is about to strike.
The NOAA Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma
monitors weather conditions across the United States.
They issue daily forecasts showing areas of the country
that are likely to experience severe weather.
In the hours before storms form,
the Storm Prediction Center discusses the weather
with National Weather Service Forecast Offices
within the areas at risk.
The Storm Prediction Center then issues a watch
to notify people in those areas to stay alert for severe weather.
A watch also includes information about what type of weather
you might see and the chances of it actually occurring.
The risk level can range from a few storms
with hail and high winds
to a Particularly Dangerous Situation
when deadly tornadoes could occur.
The most important thing you can do when a watch is issued
is to stay alert for developing storms and understand your risk.
Be sure to tune in to your local news
for the updated weather information.
You can also get instant weather alerts
from NOAA Weather Radio.
Watches also provide an opportunity...
to review your family emergency plan as well as
check your disaster supplies kit.
When the risk increases
and severe weather moves in,
you’ll be ready if a warning is issued.
If you need help developing a plan for your family
or packing a kit, check out ready.gov for all the information.
Stay alert... and stay safe this storm season.