Weather Watch vs Weather Warning

A watch is a term used in weather to indicate that a hazardous weather condition has increased significantly in a region, but a weather watch will not specify its location or occurrence, and its timing. A watch can only be helpful for people to make their plans well in advance before anything happens. A watch indicates that the conditions are right for hazardous weather.

What then is a weather warning? A warning is given when a dangerous condition is imminent. It is a warning for people to be cautious of the dangerous weather conditions that will shortly occur.

A weather watch means that there is a chance that the hazardous weather condition will happen, and it would cover a large geographical area for a long period. On the other hand, Met offices issue weather warnings for a condition that has already begun. Unlike a weather watch, warnings are issued for only smaller areas, and for shorter time periods.

Another thing that can be seen, is that a weather watch does not say that the weather condition is imminent, but only says that it is possible.

Unlike weather warnings, a weather watch is issued many hours earlier. For example, if a winter storm is likely to hit a region, the Met office puts out a weather watch, maybe ten to thirty hours ahead of the storm. A warning will only indicate that the storm has been noticed in the nearby area, and will hit the specific region at any time.

Summary:

1. A watch is a term used in weather to indicate that a hazardous weather condition has increased significantly in a region. A warning is given when a dangerous condition is imminent.

2. A weather watch covers a larger area; a weather warning only covers a small area.

3. Unlike weather warnings, a weather watch is issued many hours earlier.

4. A weather watch does not say that the weather condition is imminent, but only says that it is possible. Met offices issue weather warnings for a condition that has already begun.

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