Issued when conditions are favorable for the development of thunderstorms with winds of at least 58 mph and/or hail 1 inch or larger.
Tornado Watch [TO.A]
Issued when conditions are favorable for thunderstorms to produce tornadoes.
Warnings
Severe Thunderstorm Warning [SV.W]
Thunderstorm winds of 58 mph or greater and/or hail 1 inch in diameter or greater.
Tornado Warning [TO.W]
A tornado is spotted or detected on radar.
Advisories
Significant Weather Advisory [SPS]
Gusty winds less than 58 mph and/or small hail less than 1 inch below Severe Thunderstorm Warning thresholds. These storms may strengthen to prompt the issuance of a Severe Thunderstorm Warning.
Potential for flash flooding due to non-convective causes (e.g., dam or levee failure or ice jam), or the possibility of flash flooding and debris flows caused by excessive rainfall on burn scars or in debris flow- and landslide-prone areas.
Flood Watch:[FA.A]
Conditions are favorable for flooding caused by excessive rainfall and runoff. As of 2021, this combines what was formerly (convective) Flash Flood Watches and Areal Flood Watches.
River Flood Watch:[FL.A]
Issued for river forecast points when river flooding is possible, but flooding is not expected to begin within the next 24 hours.
Warnings
Flash Flood Warning:[FF.W]
Short duration (usually less than six hours), flash flooding resulting from storms with rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour or greater. Also issued when a dam has failed or when a dam failure is imminent.
(Areal) Flood Warning:[FA.W]
Long duration (slow to evolve), flooding resulting from steady stratiform rain with rates typically less than 1 inch per hour. Most common during long-duration spring rains resulting in widespread flooding.
River Flood Warning:[FL.W]
River flooding is occurring or is forecast for a point. Normally issued when flooding is forecast within 24 hours based on accumulated rainfall.
Advisories
Flood Advisory:[FA.Y]
Localized flooding resulting from heavy rain. Water may start to threaten homes and businesses, and minor flooding of roads is possible
Potential for a blizzard, heavy snowfall, or ice storm within the next 18 to 48 hours. Issued when there is a 50% confidence or greater of at least 6 inches of snow and/or a ¼ inch of ice.
Warnings
Winter Storm Warning:[WS.W]
Snow accumulations 6 inches or greater; Freezing rain accumulations ¼ inch or greater.
Blizzard Warning:[BZ.W]
Sustained winds or frequent gusts 35 mph or greater AND falling/blowing snow reducing visibility to less than ¼ mile for at least three hours.
Ice Storm Warning:[IS.W]
Freezing rain accumulations ¼ inch or greater resulting in significant, widespread power outages, tree damage, and dangerous travel.
Lake Effect Snow Warning:[LE.W]
Lake effect snow accumulations 6 inches or greater. This is issued only for the northernmost portions of our area.
Snow Squall Warning:[SQ.W]
A short-duration (less than 1 hour), polygon-based warning is issued when strong snow squalls and flash freezing will cause dangerous and life-threatening conditions, especially for roadways. Usually issued when ground/road temperatures are sub-freezing and visibility is less than ¼ mile.
Advisories
Winter Weather Advisory:[WS.Y]
Snow accumulations of 4 inches, any freezing rain accumulations less than ¼ inch, or a high-impact snow/ice event.
⚠️ Practice Heat Safety when outdoors! ⚠️
🔗 For Heat Safety tips and resources, visit heat.gov.
Conditions are favorable for the development of sustained winds of 40 mph or greater and/or gusts of 58 mph or greater within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Freeze Watch:[FZ.A]
Potential for the first freeze of the fall season or for a late spring freeze within the next 18 to 24 hours. The product is discontinued for the season following the first fall "killing" freeze.
Extreme Cold Watch:[EC.A]
Wind chill of -25ºF or colder within the next 18 to 48 hours.
Excessive Heat Watch:[HT.A]
Potential for heat index values of 105ºF or hotter within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Warnings
High Wind Warning:[HW.W]
Non-convective sustained wind speeds of 40 mph and greater and/or wind gusts of 58 mph and greater.
Freeze Warning:[FZ.W]
When temperatures will be at or below 32ºF over a large area for a significant time during the growing season.
Extreme Cold Warning:[EC.W]
Wind chill of -25ºF or colder.
Excessive Heat Warning:[HT.W]
Heat Index of 105ºF or greater.
Red Flag/Fire Weather Warning:[FW.W]
Dangerous fire behavior is expected within the next 12-24 hours based on weather conditions and dry fuels.
Conditions are favorable for the development of sustained winds between 34 and 47 knots within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Storm Watch:[SR.A]
Conditions are favorable for the development of sustained winds between 48 and 63 knots within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Freezing Spray Watch:[UP.A]
Conditions are favorable for extreme freezing spray within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Lakeshore Flood Watch:[LS.A]
Conditions are favorable for lakeshore flooding within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Warnings
Gale Warning:[GL.W]
Sustained wind speeds between 34 and 47 knots.
Storm Warning:[SR.W]
Sustained wind speeds between 48 and 63 knots.
Freezing Spray Warning:[UP.W]
Extreme freezing spray is expected.
Lakeshore Flood Warning:[LS.W]
Lakeshore flooding is expected.
Advisories
Small Craft Advisory:[SC.Y]
Sustained wind speeds greater than or equal to 20 knots and/or wave heights greater than or equal to 4 feet. Issued for the nearshore waters only.
Marine Dense Fog Advisory:[MF.Y]
Visibility reduced to 1 mile or less.
Low Water Advisory:[LO.Y]
When water levels are below the critical mark for safe navigation. Issued for the western basin of Lake Erie only.
*Please note: winter and heat related criteria are based on local climatology. Therefore, NWS Cleveland area thresholds for heat and winter related products may differ slightly from neighboring NWS offices' criteria.