What is a Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado Watch?
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch outlines an area where an organized episode of hail 3/4 inch diameter or larger and/or damaging thunderstorm winds are expected during a three to eight hour period. A Tornado Watch includes the large hail and damaging wind threats, as well as the possibility of multiple tornadoes. Typical watches cover about 25,000 square miles, or about half the size of Iowa.
