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Definitions of Severe Weather

WATCH: conditions are conducive to the development of the storm or condition – for tropical storms or hurricanes, the possibility of these conditions within 36 hours – for flooding, the possibility within the next 6 hours

WARNING: the storm or condition is actually occurring; it has been sighted or seen on radar – for tropical storms or hurricanes, the expectation of these conditions within 24 hours

 

WINTER STORM: snow, sleet, freezing rain &/or extreme cold

BLIZZARD: falling or blowing snow in sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 miles per hour lasting for at least 3 hours

BLOWING SNOW: wind driven snow that reduces visibility and causes significant drifting

FREEZING RAIN: rain that freezes as it hits the ground creating a coating of ice – also called an ice storm

SLEET: rain that freezes in the air creating ice pellets

THUNDERSTORM: storms that produce lightning – thunderstorms usually, but not always, include rainthey may also produce hail, strong winds, tornados and flash flooding

HAIL: balls of ice formed when updrafts keep precipitation suspended in cold air

TORNADO: a rotating funnel of wind spawned by a thunderstorm – winds may reach 200 to 300 miles per hour

WATER SPOUT: a tornado over water

 

FLOOD: high flow or overflow of water from a river; heavy runoff or drainage of water into low-lying areas

FLASH FLOOD: sudden flooding; rapidly rising water or a wall of released water from torrential rains, an ice jam or a dam failure

 

TROPICAL STORM: a large tropical cyclone formed over water with sustained winds of 39 to 73 miles per hour

HURRICANE: a large tropical cyclone formed over water with sustained winds greater than 73 miles per hour