he 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 tropical storm watch or tropical storm warning for the affected coastline.
TROPICAL STORM WATCH: means tropical storm conditions of 39-73 mph (34-63 kts or 63-118 kph) are possible within 36 hours for affected coastline.
TROPICAL STORM WARNING: means tropical storm conditions of 39-73 mph (34-63 kts or 63-118 kph) are expected for defined coastal area within 24 hours or less.
A tropical storm is less powerful than a hurricane. Criteria for Hurricane Warning
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 Tropical Storm Warning
T
he 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 tropical storm watch or tropical storm warning for the affected coastline.
TROPICAL STORM WATCH: means tropical storm conditions of 39-73 mph (34-63 kts or 63-118 kph) are possible within 36 hours for affected coastline.
TROPICAL STORM WARNING: means tropical storm conditions of 39-73 mph (34-63 kts or 63-118 kph) are expected for defined coastal area within 24 hours or less.
A tropical storm is less powerful than a hurricane. Criteria for Hurricane Warning
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?
he 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 tropical storm watch or tropical storm warning for the affected coastline.
TROPICAL STORM WATCH: means tropical storm conditions of 39-73 mph (34-63 kts or 63-118 kph) are possible within 36 hours for affected coastline.
TROPICAL STORM WARNING: means tropical storm conditions of 39-73 mph (34-63 kts or 63-118 kph) are expected for defined coastal area within 24 hours or less.
A tropical storm is less powerful than a hurricane. Criteria for Hurricane Warning
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, coastline, glossary, national weather service, Tropical, tropical storm conditions, tropical storm watch, weather glossary, weather watches. Bookmark the permalink.
Read More
Upper Ohio Valley Severe Weather: Enhanced Risk July 21, 2026
Upper Ohio Valley severe weather is the headline threat on July 21, 2026, as the NOAA Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued an Enhanced Risk stretching from the Ohio Valley through the Mid-Atlantic and into the…
Upper Midwest Severe Thunderstorms: Enhanced Risk July 20, 2026
Upper Midwest severe thunderstorms are threatening Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Upper Michigan, and the broader Great Lakes region today, July 20, 2026, with the NOAA Storm Prediction Center placing the area under an Enhanced Risk, the third…
Southeast Severe Thunderstorms and Dakotas Hail Threat: SPC Outlook for July 19, 2026
Southeast severe thunderstorms are the lead hazard in today's Storm Prediction Center Day 1 Convective Outlook, issued July 19, 2026, with the SPC placing a Slight Risk, the second of five severe categories (level 2 of…


