Hazards and DisastersIntroduction |
What is the difference between a watch and a warning |
The U.S. National Weather Service issues watches and warnings for a variety of hazards when they may be imminent. A watch (such as a tornado watch or a flood watch) means that such an event is likely to occur or is predicted to occur. A warning is more serious. It means that a hazard is already occurring or is imminent. Warnings are usually broadcast on television and radio stations via the Emergency Alert System (formerly known as the Emergency Broadcast System).