The
mission of your National Weather Service is to protect life and property. In support of that mission, the National
Weather Service in Huntsville issues a number of watches,
warnings, and statements to the public. These products
are the most "visible" of those issued by the National
Weather Service.
Hazardous Weather Outlook (HWO) |
Latest
Hazardous Wx Outlook Go Back:
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The "Hazardous Weather Outlook"
is a discussion, primarily for emergency managers
and NWS storm spotters, of expected hazardous weather
during the next seven days, with special emphasis
placed on the first day. The Outlook is issued twice
daily, at 5am and 1pm. A third HWO is issued around
9pm from November to March only.
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Tornado Watch |
Latest
Watches (from SPC) |
A "Tornado Watch" means
that conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes
and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
area. Persons in the watch area can continue with
their day-to-day activities, but should keep an eye to the
sky for threatening weather. If threatening weather
does approach, tune to NOAA Weather Radio, or local
broadcast media, to keep abreast of the changing weather
situation. Watches usually last about 6 hours and
cover areas of about 25,000 square miles each, and are
issued by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK.
The local NWS office issues a county list of counties
included in each watch. See "Watch County Notification"
below.
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Tornado Warning (TOR) |
TN Valley Watches/Warnings |
A "Tornado Warning" is
issued when a tornado is detected on radar or a reliable
report of a tornado is received. Persons in the
warning area should take immediate action to protect their
lives and the lives of others. Warnings are issued by
county and usually last for less than one hour.
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Severe Thunderstorm Watch |
Latest
Watches (from SPC) |
A "Severe Thunderstorm
Watch" means that conditions are favorable for the
formation of severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
area. Severe thunderstorms produce winds in excess of
58 mph (50 knots) and/or hail 3/4 inch or larger.
Persons in the watch area can continue with their day-to-day
activities, but should keep an eye to the sky for
threatening weather. If threatening weather does
approach, tune to NOAA Weather Radio, or local broadcast
media, to keep abreast of the changing weather
situation. Watches usually last about 6 hours and
cover areas of about 25,000 square miles each, and are
issued by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK.
The local NWS office issues a county list of counties
included in each watch. See "Watch County Notification "
below.
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Severe Thunderstorm Warning (SVR) |
TN Valley Watches/Warnings |
A "Severe Thunderstorm
Warning" is issued when a severe thunderstorm is
detected on radar or a reliable report of severe
thunderstorm activity is received. Severe
thunderstorms produce winds in excess of 58 mph (50 knots)
and/or hail 3/4 inch or larger. Tornadoes can
and occasionally do accompany severe thunderstorms.
Persons in the warning area should take immediate action to
protect their lives and the lives of others. Warnings
are issued by county and usually last for less than one
hour.
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Watch County Notification |
Latest
Watch County Notification |
Watch County Notifications
are issued by the local NWS office and provide
a list of counties and affected cities that are
under a tornado or severe thunderstorm watch.
This is the official method of adding or removing
counties from a current watch
or extending the time of a current watch.
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Severe Weather Statement (SVS) |
TN Valley Watches/Warnings |
The "Severe Weather Statement"
is used to keep a Severe Thunderstorm Warning or
Tornado Warning up-to-date. This product will
keep the public informed of a severe thunderstorm
or tornado; where it is located, and if there has
been any severe weather reported to the National
Weather Service. Most warnings issued by the
NWS have at least one Severe Weather Statement issued
to follow up on them. This product is also
used to cancel warnings when severe weather has
moved out of the warned area.
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Special Weather Statement (SPS) |
Latest
Special Weather Statement Go Back:
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A "Special Weather
Statement" is issued to keep the public and
media abreast of weather situations that are
significant, but not thought to be life-threatening. It
may also be used to inform the public of an interesting
or unusual weather phenomena. (Sometimes,
the most recent version of this product will
be a Significant Weather Alert, which is also
issued under the same header.)
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Local Storm Report (LSR) |
Latest
Local Storm Report Go
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A "Local Storm Report"
is issued by the National Weather Service after a severe
weather episode. It details the severe weather reports
received by the NWS. It states when the severe weather
occurred, where it occurred, and what the event was.
This report may include reports of tornadoes, large hail,
damaging winds, or flooding. Fatalities and/or
injuries may be included if they can be confirmed by
emergency management or law enforcement officials.
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