Severe Thunderstorm Watch: what it means and how often it is issued

What is a severe thunderstorm watch?

Severe thunderstorm watches come from the NWS Storm Prediction Center when storms with large hail or damaging winds are possible over a large area for several hours. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows.

Warning, watch or advisory: the three levels compared

How many severe thunderstorm watches a year?

When in the year?

Which states get the most severe thunderstorm watches?

Severe Thunderstorm Watch or severe thunderstorm warning?

A severe thunderstorm watch (from the Storm Prediction Center, for a large area over several hours) means the conditions are possible: be ready; a severe thunderstorm warning (from the local NWS office, for the area at risk) means the hazard is happening or imminent: act now. A severe thunderstorm warning means a storm is producing, or is about to produce, hail one inch across or larger and/or winds of 58 mph or more. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The NWS issued 23,433 severe thunderstorm warnings in 2025, against 448 severe thunderstorm watches. The severe thunderstorm warning record.