Here are some meanings of weather related warnings and watches.
Watches vs. Warnings:
A flash flood Warning means a flash flood is imminent or is occurring. Take immediate action to protect life and property.
A severe thunderstorm watch is issued when conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms over a larger-scale region for a duration of at least 3 hours. Tornadoes are not expected in such situations but isolated tornado development can also occur.
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued when there is evidence based on radar or a reliable spotter that a thunderstorm is producing, or forecast to produce, wind gusts of 58 mph or greater, structural wind damage, and/or hail 1" in diameter or greater.
A Tornado watch is issued when there is a threat of large hail, damaging wind, and the possibility of multiple tornadoes.
A Tornado Warning is issued when a tornado (or sometimes a funnel cloud) has been spotted or is denoted by radar. When a tornado warning is issued for your area you should seek shelter immediately.
Be safe!
