The National Weather Service (NWS) is the official U.S. government agency charged with issuing weather watches, warnings, and advisories and is the source used by iAlert.com. Below is the criteria used by NWS forecasters when issuing a hurricane watch or hurricane warning for the affected coastline.
HURRICANE WATCH: means hurricane conditions of at least 74 mph (64 kt or 119 kph) are possible within 36 hours for affected coastline.
HURRICANE WARNING: means hurricane conditions of at least 74 mph (64 kt or 119 kph) are expected for defined coastal area within 24 hours or less.
A hurricane is more powerful than a tropical. Criteria for Tropical Storm
Learn more about the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Looking for the criteria for a tornado warning, criteria of a severe thunderstorm warning, or weather glossary? Criteria For a Hurricane Warning
The National Weather Service (NWS) is the official U.S. government agency charged with issuing weather watches, warnings, and advisories and is the source used by iAlert.com. Below is the criteria used by NWS forecasters when issuing a hurricane watch or hurricane warning for the affected coastline.
HURRICANE WATCH: means hurricane conditions of at least 74 mph (64 kt or 119 kph) are possible within 36 hours for affected coastline.
HURRICANE WARNING: means hurricane conditions of at least 74 mph (64 kt or 119 kph) are expected for defined coastal area within 24 hours or less.
A hurricane is more powerful than a tropical. Criteria for Tropical Storm
Learn more about the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Looking for the criteria for a tornado warning, criteria of a severe thunderstorm warning, or weather glossary?
This entry was posted in Weather Glossary and tagged coastal area, glossary, Hurricane, hurricane conditions, hurricane warning, hurricane watch, Tropical, watches warnings, weather glossary. Bookmark the permalink.
Read More
Tropical Storm Norbert Forecast: 45 mph Storm Weakens 1,375 Miles East of Hilo, Hawaii
iAlert hurricane tracker satellite view of the Tropical Storm Norbert forecast from the 11 AM HST advisory on Sunday, September 13, 2026, with the Hawaiian Islands highlighted. Green S markers show Norbert at tropical storm strength…
Tropical Storm Norbert Holds 60 mph Winds Far East of Hawaii, No Coastal Watches in Effect
iAlert hurricane tracker forecast track from the 5 AM HST advisory on Saturday, September 12, 2026. Green S markers show Norbert at tropical storm strength from Saturday through 2 AM Tuesday. Blue D markers show the…
Upper Midwest Severe Thunderstorms: Slight Risk of Large Hail, Damaging Wind, and Tornadoes September 11, 2026
Upper Midwest severe thunderstorms are the headline threat on September 11, 2026. The NOAA Storm Prediction Center's Day 1 Convective Outlook, issued at 12:26 UTC (8:26 am EDT / 7:26 am CDT), places Duluth, International Falls,…


