The National Weather Service (NWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) use a series of weather indicators to identify and categorize adverse weather conditions. Weather conditions are assigned one of the following Weather Indicators, which have increasing levels of severity:

Weather Advisory

An Advisory is issued when a hazardous weather event is occurring or has a very high probability of occurrence. Advisories describe hazardous weather events that cause significant inconvenience, but are not life threatening if caution is exercised.

Weather Watch

A Watch is issued when the risk of a hazardous or severe weather event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location, and/or timing is still uncertain.

Weather Warning

A Warning is issued when a hazardous weather event is occurring, imminent, or has a high probability of occurring. Warnings are used for weather conditions posing a threat to life or property.

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