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Hurricane Season: Watches and Warnings
May 11, 2022 at 08:11 AM EDT
By WeatherBug Meteorologist, Christian Sayles
The 2022 Hurricane Season is on the horizon, and it’s never too early to define the associated watches and warnings that may be issued.
When there are active storms spinning in the tropics, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) will release tropical cyclone advisories every 6 hours beginning at 5 a.m. ET. For the Central Pacific, the advisories are released every 6 hours starting at 5 a.m. HST. However, whenever there is a storm that has triggered tropical storm or hurricane watches or warnings, the advisory time is reduced to every 3 hours instead.
Below is a list of watches and warnings that can be issued should a storm near land:
- Storm Surge Watch/Warning- A Storm Surge Watch means that there is a possibility of life-threatening flooding stemming from water risen inland for areas near the shoreline within the next 48 hours. A Storm Surge Warning means that there is immediate danger of life-threatening flooding stemming from rising water near the shoreline within the next 36 hours.
- Tropical Storm Watch/Warning- A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds 39 to 73 mph) are possible within 48 hours. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours.
- Hurricane Watch/Warning- A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions (sustained winds 74 mph or higher) are possible within 48 hours. A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours.
Whether it is by a weather radio, local television or your WeatherBug app, make sure you stay tuned for any and all alerts that are issued this season. Have a plan in place should any or all of the watches/warnings become issued and always follow the instructions of your state official should you be ordered to evacuate.
Source(s): National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service
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