Severe Weather Awareness Week: Difference between a severe weather watch and a warning
(CBS DETROIT) - What is the difference between a "watch" and a "warning?"
This is critical when discussing severe thunderstorm watches and warnings, as well as tornado watches and warnings.
A watch means weather conditions are favorable for severe weather to happen. A warning means severe weather is occurring or about to occur.
Here's a different analogy: Let's say we have a "pizza watch." This means there are all the ingredients present to make a pizza. You have the pizza dough, sauce, cheese and topping. Comparing it to weather, forecasters believe the atmosphere is prime with all the ingredients for severe storms.
A "pizza warning" means the pizza is made at this point, and you are eating a slice or sitting at the table about to eat the pizza. Comparing it to weather means severe storms are happening or severe weather is about to arrive.
The big takeaway is a "watch" means to be prepared. A "warning" means to take action.
This is important information to prepare before the storm strikes! Download the CBS Detroit App to keep updated with the latest NEXT Weather forecast.