Severe Weather Warnings, Watches
List of National Weather Service Alerts Issued for Storms, Tornadoes
May 1, 2008
The National Weather Service issues warnings, watches and advisories for severe weather conditions, categorized by color. By using over 80 different colors, the watches and warnings are easy to identify from the NWS map. Alerts are organized by hue, for example blue is used for cold weather, or red is used for serious events such as tornado warnings.
List of Weather Warnings, Watches and Advisories M - Z
To read the first part of this list for A - L, read the article National Weather Service Map.
- Marine Weather Statement - peachpuff
- Red Flag Warning – deep pink – Issued for areas with possible “extreme burning conditions” due to dry conditions, wind, hot temperatures and relative humidity less than 25 percent. This warning can also be issued for dry lightning.
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning – orange
- Severe Thunderstorm Watch – dark violet
- Severe Weather Statement – aqua - This narrative statement is issued by the local NWS for a specific area
- Short Term Forecast – pale green
- Sleet Advisory – medium slate blue
- Sleet Warning – sky blue
- Small Craft Advisory – thistle
- Snow Advisory – medium blue
- Special Marine Warning – orange - Issued for coastal areas and the Great Lakes region, for potentially hazardous conditions due to thunderstorms producing high winds, hail or waterspouts. These are usually issued for short periods of time, up to 2 hours.
- Special Weather Statement – moccasin
- Storm Warning – dark violet
- Tornado Warning – red
- Tornado Watch – yellow
- Tropical Storm Warning – firebrick
- Tropical Storm Watch – light coral
- Tsunami Advisory – chocolate
- Tsunami Warning – tomato
- Tsunami Watch – fushia
- Typhoon Warning – crimson
- Typhoon Watch – magenta
- Volcano Warning – dim gray
- Wind Advisory – tan
- Wind Chill Advisory – pale turquoise – This advisory is issued for wind chill conditions that could become life threatening for humans and animals. These alerts vary by state.
- Wind Chill Warning – light steelblue
- Wind Chill Watch – cadet blue
- Winter Storm Warning – hot pink
- Winter Storm Watch – steel blue
- Winter Weather Advisory – burlywood - This advisory is issued for winter weather conditions such as snow, sleet, or freezing rain produced by a low pressure system.
Storm Watches and Warnings
Watches and warnings for storms and tornadoes can differ. Storm and tornado watches mean that severe weather is possible, within a given amount of time. Watches usually last between four and six hours. Warnings on the other hand, mean severe weather has been detected or observed, and it is moving in a given direction. The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma has the authority to issue watches. Severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings are issued by the local offices of the National Weather Service.
For a complete list of watches, warnings, alerts and advisories, access the National Weather Service.
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