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WATCH vs. WARNING - KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

A HURRICANE WATCH issued for your part of the coast indicates the possibility that you could experience hurricane conditions within 36 hours.  This watch should trigger your family's disaster plan, and protective measures should be initiated, especially those actions that require extra time such as securing a boat, leaving a barrier island, etc.

A HURRICANE WARNING issued for your part of the coast indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 24 hours or less.  Once this warning has been issued, your family should be in the process of completing protective actions and deciding the safest location to be during the storm.

Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings: Take these alerts seriously. Although Tropical Storms have lower wind speeds than hurricanes, they often bring life-threatening flooding and dangerous winds. Take precautions!

See this map for exact locations of Tropical Storm Watch / Warning Breakpoints:

US Gov NOAA NHC – Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watch/Warning Breakpoints (Google Interactive Map)

Boaters and coastal residents:

In some areas, warning flags are flown to warn boaters of dangerous weather conditions.

Small Craft Advisory:	Gale Warning:	Storm Warning:	Hurricane Warning:
To alert mariners to sustained (more than two hours) weather or sea conditions, either present or forecast, that might be hazardous to small boats. The threshold conditions for the Small Craft Advisory are usually 18 knots of wind (less than 18 knots in some dangerous waters) or hazardous wave conditions.	A warning of winds within the range of 39 – 54 mph (34 – 47 knots). Gale warnings may precede or accompany a hurricane watch.	A warning of winds within the range of 55 – 73 mph (48 – 63 knots).	A warning that indicates that hurricane winds of 74 mph (64 knots) and higher, or a combination of dangerously high water and rough seas, are expected to impact a specified coastal area. When a hurricane warning is announced, hurricane conditions are considered imminent and may begin immediately, or at least within the next 12 to 24 hours. When a warning is announced, it is of utmost importance that precautionary measures are taken for protection of life and property.

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