National Weather Service Map
Severe Weather Warnings, Watches, Advisories Assigned By Color
May 1, 2008
The National Weather Service of the United States (NWS) provides a useful online weather map for all warnings, watches and alerts issued. This NWS Map uses over 80 colors to represent these statements issued for forecast zones. The different colors indicate these events on a map. The NWS recently improved the map colors, increasing the number from only 30 colors to over 80. The colors are grouped by hue, to indicate cold or hot weather, and the level of importance. The National Weather Service updates the map every five minutes, presenting all the watches, warnings, etc in effect at that time.
Difference Between Weather Warnings, Watches and Advisories
Warnings are issued for hazardous weather events occurring or having a high probability of occurrence, threatening life and property. A watch is issued for significant events, yet still uncertain of when and where it will take place. A watch gives enough time to prepare and seek shelter. An advisory is less serious than a warning, issued for special weather events which may cause serious inconvenience, or damage to property.
List of Weather Warnings, Watches and Advisories for A - L
- Air Quality Alert – gray
- Avalanche Warning – Dodger blue – Warning issued for a 24 period when avalanches are expected or occurring in mountain areas
- Avalanche Watch – sandy brown
- Blizzard Warning – orange red - Issued for winter storms with winds over 35 mph, consisting of blowing snow which reduces visibility to a quarter mile or less
- Blizard Watch – green yellow
- Blowing Dust Advisory – dark khaki
- Blowing Snow Advisory – light blue
- Coastal Flood Advisory – lawn green
- Coastal Flood Warning – forest green
- Dense Fog Advisory – slate gray – Advisory issued for a widespread area, experiencing reduced visibility to 1/8 mile or less
- Dust Storm Warning – bisque
- Excessive Heat Warning – medium violet red – Warning issued for a heat index of 105 F occurring for at least 3 hours of the day or a heat index of 115 F for any time
- Flash Flood Watch – lime green
- Fire Warning – sienna
- Flood Advisory – spring green
- Freeze Warning – cyan – Issued during the growing season when temperatures are expected to drop below freezing for an extended time period, with or without frost developing
- Freeze Watch – royal blue
- Frost Advisory – cornflower blue
- Gale Warning – plum – Issued for winds or gusts from 34 knots (39 mph) to 47 knots (54 mph)
- Hazardous Weather Outlook – pale goldenrod - narrative statement for a specific area
- Heat Advisory – coral
- Heavy Snow Warning – blue violet
- High Surf Advisory – medium orchid
- High Surf Warning – forest green
- High Wind Watch – dark goldenrod
- Hurricane Warning – crimson
- Hurricane Watch – magenta
- Ice Storm Warning - dark magenta – Issued for freezing rain, accumulating ice of more than ¼ inch
- Lake Effect Snow Warning – dark cyan
- Lake Effect Snow Watch – light sky blue
The List of Warnings, Watches and Advisories for M-Z continues in the article Severe Weather Warnings, Watches.
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