Weather Radar and Alerts provides a user with the ability to view active watches issued by the National Weather Services. These watches are drawn onto the map using a Polygon.

The current watches that can be displayed are:

• Severe Thunderstorm Watch
• Tornado Watch

Additional watches are coming in a future release. These include the following watches:

• Unordered List Item

At this time, the watch box does not show specific counties under the watch. The watch box is for general area only. Currently, Weather Radar and Alerts does not include National Weather Service text information for the current watches. This is a planned update in a future release.

This is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. A severe thunderstorm by definition is a thunderstorm that produces one inch hail or larger in diameter and/or winds equal or exceed 58 miles an hour. The size of the watch can vary depending on the weather situation. They are usually issued for a duration of 4 to 8 hours. They are normally issued well in advance of the actual occurrence of severe weather. During the watch, people should review severe thunderstorm safety rules and be prepared to move a place of safety if threatening weather approaches.

This is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area. Their size can vary depending on the weather situation. They are usually issued for a duration of 4 to 8 hours. They normally are issued well in advance of the actual occurrence of severe weather. During the watch, people should review tornado safety rules and be prepared to move a place of safety if threatening weather approaches.