In monitoring severe weather, the following terminology may be a useful guide:
- ADVISORY - Actual or expected weather conditions may cause inconvenience or concern but do
not pose a serious threat.
- WATCH - Conditions are favourable for the development of severe weather.
- WARNING – Severe weather is occurring or is highly probable. Weather warnings may be issued
from six to twelve hours in advance. Severe thunderstorm or tornado warnings are sometimes
issued as little as one hour or less in advance. Weather warnings may be issued for
thunderstorms, tornados, freezing rain, frost, wind, dust-storm, blizzards, heavy
snowfall, winter storms, wind chill.