Watch or advisory which is worse

The difference between a watch, warning and advisory. By Brittany Wiley. Published: Sep. Share on Facebook. Email This Link. Share on Twitter. Share on Pinterest. Share on LinkedIn. Most Read. Federal court declines to lift stay on vaccine mandate.

A Tropical Storm Warning is issued when sustained winds of 34 to 63 kt 39 to 73 mph or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less. A Coastal Flood Watch is issued when moderate to major coastal flooding is possible. Such flooding would potentially pose a serious risk to life and property. A Coastal Flood Warning is issued when moderate to major coastal flooding is occurring or imminent.

This flooding will pose a serious risk to life and property. A Coastal Flood Advisory is issued when minor or nuisance coastal flooding is occurring or imminent. A Flash Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flash flooding. It does not mean that flash flooding will occur, but it is possible. A Flash Flood Warning is issued when flash flooding is imminent or occurring.

A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible. A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring. A River Flood Watch is issued when river flooding is possible at one or more forecast points along a river. A River Flood Warning is issued when river flooding is occurring or imminent at one or more forecast points along a river. An Excessive Heat Watch is issued when there is a potential for the heat index value to reach or exceed degrees east of the Blue Ridge or degrees west of the Blue Ridge within the next 24 to 48 hours.

An Excessive Heat Warning is issued when the heat index value is expected to reach or exceed degrees east of the Blue Ridge or degrees west of the Blue Ridge within the next 12 to 24 hours. An Excessive Heat Warning may be issued for lower criteria if it is early in the season or during a multi-day heat wave.

A Heat Advisory is issued when the heat index value is expected to reach to degrees east of the Blue Ridge or to degrees west of the Blue Ridge within the next 12 to 24 hours. A Heat Advisory may be issued for lower criteria if it is early in the season or during a multi-day heat wave. A Fire Weather Watch is issued to alert fire officials and firefighters of potentially dangerous fire weather conditions within the next 24 to 36 hours. They are issued when the following three criteria are met:.

A Red Flag Warning is issued to alert fire officials and firefighters of potentially dangerous fire weather conditions within the next 12 to 24 hours. Sterling, VA Comments? Please Contact Us. Please try another search. Multiple locations were found. Please select one of the following:. Location Help. Customize Your Weather. Privacy Policy. Current Hazards. Local Regional National.

Rivers and Lakes. Climate and Past Weather. Current Weather. A Warning indicates that conditions pose a threat to life or property, and that travel will become difficult to impossible. For more winter preparedness information, visit our Winter Weather Preparedness page. Weather Safety Preparedness Weather Radio. Please Contact Us.

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