Fire Marshal: Severe Weather Watches and Warnings Definitions

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Severe Weather Watches and Warnings Definitions

Flood Watch: High flow or overflow of water from a river is possible in the given time period. It can also apply to heavy runoff or drainage of water into low-lying areas. These watches are generally issued for flooding that is expected to occur at least 6 hours after heavy rains have ended.

Flood Warning: Flooding conditions are actually occurring or are imminent in the warning area.

Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible in or close to the watch area. Flash Flood Watches are generally issued for flooding that is expected to occur within 6 hours after heavy rains have ended.

Flash Flood Warning: Flash flooding is actually occurring or imminent in the warning area. It can be issued as a result of torrential rains, a dam failure, or ice jam.

Tornado Watch: Conditions are conducive to the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area.

Tornado Warning: A tornado has actually been sighted by spotters or indicated on radar and is occurring or imminent in the warning area.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Conditions are conducive to the development of severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning: A severe thunderstorm has actually been observed by spotters or indicated on radar, and is occurring or imminent in the warning area.

Tropical Storm Watch: Tropical storm conditions with sustained winds from 39 to 73 mph are possible in the watch area within the next 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Warning: Tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area within the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions (sustained winds greater than 73 mph) are possible in the watch area within 36 hours.

Hurricane Warning: Hurricane conditions are expected in the warning area in 24 hours or less.

Content Last Modified on 1/22/2004 9:41:07 AM

	Tarrant County Fire Marshal 2750 Premier Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76111 After Hours Telephone Numbers Non-emergency - Call 817-884-1315 ( Tarrant County Sheriff Department ) Emergency - Call 911 Fax number - 817-831-2007 Privacy Policy \| Accessibility Statement \| Media Inquiries Technical (Web) Issues \| General Information \| Web Site Awards Request for Documents under the Public Information Act County Telephone Operator: 817- 884-1111 Tarrant County provides the information contained in this web site as a public service. Every effort is made to insure that information provided is correct. However, in any case where legal reliance on information contained in these pages is required, the official records of Tarrant County should be consulted. Tarrant County is not responsible for the content of, nor endorses any site which has a link from the Tarrant County web site. 100 E. Weatherford, Fort Worth, Texas 76196 Copyright 2001-2005 Tarrant County, TX