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Hurricane Watch Vs. Warning

The difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning lies in how likely a hurricane is to hit the area alerted. A watch means a hurricane could hit the alert area; a warning means it's expected to hit.

  1. Level of Danger

    • The National Weather Service says that a watch means the risk of a hurricane strike has grown significantly; people should prepare. Under a warning, life and property are in imminent danger from a hurricane in the area.

    Forewarned Is Forearmed

    • During a watch, people should start taking measures to withstand or flee a natural disaster and monitor the weather. A warning means all preparations must be completed quickly.

    Time Frame

    • A hurricane watch is issued to likely landfall areas up to 36 hours in advance. When an area is placed under a hurricane warning, it means the storm is expected to hit the region within 24 hours.

    Wind Speed

    • During a watch, the storm may not yet have acquired hurricane-force winds. When a warning is issued, it means that when the hurricane strikes, its sustained winds will be at least 74 mph.

    Target Areas

    • Watches are generally issued to larger areas, because hurricanes, especially 36 hours out, are unpredictable. By the time a warning is issued, the areas under alert have become more targeted.

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