Weather Alerts
What Is a Severe Thunderstorm Warning?
A severe thunderstorm warning is an official alert indicating that a severe thunderstorm is occurring or imminent in the warned area.
Warnings may be based on radar evidence, spotter reports, or other observations. The alert text can include hazards such as damaging wind, hail, or tornado potential when applicable.
What it means
A severe thunderstorm warning is an official alert indicating that a severe thunderstorm is occurring or imminent in the warned area.
Warnings may be based on radar evidence, spotter reports, or other observations. The alert text can include hazards such as damaging wind, hail, or tornado potential when applicable.
Why it matters
Severe storms can disrupt power, aviation, outdoor events, road travel, and communications even when they are not part of a larger outbreak.
A warning is time-sensitive. Users should read official alert text and follow local guidance rather than relying only on a dashboard card.
What to watch
- Warning polygon, counties or zones, expiration time, and update statements.
- Mentioned hazards such as wind, hail, lightning, or tornado tag language.
- Outage reports, airport ground delays, and follow-up flood or tornado alerts.
How HazardNow uses this signal
HazardNow surfaces active weather alerts near outage, aviation, and local-condition signals to help users spot compounding disruption.
The related dashboard view is useful for scanning context, while official NWS warnings remain the authoritative alert.
Limitations
HazardNow is informational only. For urgent decisions, protective actions, warnings, evacuations, closures, medical guidance, utility restoration, or travel instructions, follow official agencies and local authorities.
- Storms can evolve faster than cached summaries.
- A county-wide summary may not reflect the precise warning polygon at your location.
- HazardNow does not provide shelter, school, event, or travel instructions.
Related HazardNow pages
Official/public sources
These links are starting points for source verification. Local instructions, official alert text, and agency updates take priority.
FAQ
Does a warning mean severe weather is happening now?
It generally means the hazard is occurring or imminent in the warned area. Read the official NWS product for exact wording and timing.
Can a severe thunderstorm warning include tornado risk?
Some severe thunderstorm warnings include tornado-related language, but tornado warnings are separate official products when issued.