Watch vs warning › High wind watch vs warning
National Weather Service alert guide
High wind watch vs warning
A high wind watch means sustained, strong winds are possible. A high wind warning means sustained, strong winds with even stronger gusts are happening.
The exact wind speeds that trigger each one are set by your local National Weather Service office, because what wrecks a roof in one region is an ordinary day in another.
What the National Weather Service says
High Wind Watch
Sustained, strong winds are possible.
- Issued by
- Your local National Weather Service forecast office. The wind speeds that meet the criteria are set locally.
- How long it lasts
- The expiration time is written in the alert. Check it there.
High Wind Warning
Sustained, strong winds with even stronger gusts are happening.
- Issued by
- Your local National Weather Service forecast office. The wind speeds that meet the criteria are set locally.
- How long it lasts
- The expiration time is written in the alert. Check it there.
Wind Advisory
Strong winds are occurring but are not so strong as to warrant a High Wind Warning.
- Issued by
- Your local National Weather Service forecast office.
The National Weather Service wind safety page does not publish a single national wind speed for these alerts. Criteria are set by each local office. Check the page for your local office for the numbers where you live.
Damaging wind inside a thunderstorm is covered by a Severe Thunderstorm Warning, not a High Wind Warning. Both can be out at the same time.
An Extreme Wind Warning is a different alert for the extreme winds of a major hurricane. If one is issued, move to an interior room immediately.
What to do
If a high wind watch is issued
- Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you are not caught outside.
- Bring in or tie down patio furniture, trash cans, trampolines, and anything light enough to move.
- Put vehicles in a garage or away from large trees and power lines.
- Charge your phone. High wind takes power lines down.
- Move any outdoor work you can to another day.
If a high wind warning is issued
- Go inside a sturdy building and stay there.
- Stay away from windows.
- If you are driving, keep both hands on the wheel and slow down.
- Watch for gusts when you come out from behind a hill, a building, or a line of trees, and on bridges and open stretches.
- If you are driving a high sided vehicle or towing a trailer, get off the road.
- Stay away from downed power lines and treat every one of them as live. Call your utility or 911.
- Do not go out to fix or chase anything the wind has moved.
If a wind advisory is issued
- Objects that are outdoors should be secured.
- Take caution if driving, especially in a high sided vehicle.
- Expect small branches and loose debris on the road.
Common questions
What wind speed triggers a high wind warning?
There is no single national number. The National Weather Service wind safety page defines a High Wind Warning as sustained, strong winds with even stronger gusts happening, and the specific speeds are set by each local forecast office. Check the page for your local National Weather Service office for the criteria where you live.
Source: www.weather.gov/safety/wind-wwWhat is the difference between a wind advisory and a high wind warning?
A Wind Advisory means strong winds are occurring but are not so strong as to warrant a High Wind Warning. A High Wind Warning means sustained, strong winds with even stronger gusts are happening. An advisory means secure your things and drive carefully. A warning means go inside.
Source: www.weather.gov/safety/wind-wwIs it safe to drive in a high wind warning?
It is risky, and it is worse in a high sided vehicle or with a trailer. If you must drive, keep both hands on the wheel and slow down, and expect sudden gusts on bridges, on open stretches, and when you come out from behind a windbreak. If you can wait it out, wait.
Source: www.weather.gov/safety/wind-wwHow a wind alert reaches you
High Wind Warnings are not on the National Weather Service list of alerts sent to cell phones as Wireless Emergency Alerts. Do not expect your phone to buzz for one.
Extreme Wind Warnings and Dust Storm Warnings are on that list. An Extreme Wind Warning covers the extreme winds of a major hurricane and means take cover in an interior room immediately.
Source: www.weather.gov/wrn/weaHow a wind alert reaches you when the power is out
NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards broadcasts official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, directly from the nearest National Weather Service office.
It needs a special radio receiver or scanner, and it keeps working when the power does not.
Source: www.weather.gov/nwr