Watch, warning, and advisory
A watch generally means conditions are favorable for a hazard. A warning usually means a hazard is occurring, imminent, or strongly indicated. An advisory commonly describes a less severe but still disruptive condition. Local agencies define the official meaning.
Common hazards
Alerts may involve severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, flooding, strong winds, extreme heat, snow, or other hazards. Read the affected area, timing, expected impacts, and instructions rather than relying on the headline alone.
Use alerts safely
Weather Chase can help you notice conditions, but it is not a replacement for emergency services or local authority instructions. During severe weather, follow official evacuation, shelter, and travel guidance.
What this means for your day
Treat a warning as an action signal, not just another forecast number. Check the source agency and the affected location before making safety decisions.
Frequently asked questions
Why does weather alerts change?
Weather information updates as new observations and forecast model runs become available. Small changes are normal, especially farther into the future.
Where can I see this information?
Use Weather Chase's current conditions, hourly forecast, daily forecast, and map tools to compare the latest information for a location.