Hurricane Watches and Warnings: What Do They Mean?

It's that time of year again. You know, the hurricane season. The weather reports are full of words like tropical depression, tropical storm, hurricane, Saffir-Simpson scale, and of course the most dreaded of all for coastal residents, hurricane watch and hurricane warning.

Hurricane forecasting is, at best, difficult. The projected path of a hurricane is dependent on ever changing weather patterns. High pressure areas, low pressure areas, wind speed and direction on the surface, as well as in the upper atmosphere, all play roles in the path a hurricane will take. Tremendous progress has been made in recent years in the forecasting of hurricanes with even better forecasting abilities just on the horizon.

A hurricane watch is issued when the National Weather Service is fairly sure hurricane activity is possible in a certain area within thirty-six to forty-eight hours. This is the time to closely monitor your local weather reports. Take a walk around the outside of your home and secure anything that isn't a permanent outside fixture. Mobile home tie downs should be checked and tightened. Lawn furniture, toys, and waste receptacles should be brought inside or safely stored until after the storm. Fill your vehicles up with fuel. Take precautions for your boat. Check emergency survival kits to make sure they are updated and complete. Begin preparations to board or shutter windows. Make sure you have cash on hand. If the power goes out, ATMs won't work and any stores that are able to reopen won't have the ability to use credit or debit cards. Refill life sustaining medications.