Distinguish watches from warnings
See this course’s project requirements
A weather-planning packet with forecast metadata, probability interpretation, window comparison, update log, alert guide, and an indoor-fallback decision card.
Keep your working files in your own notebook or software. Save a private description, checklist, and work link in My Proof.
What to include
- Record the correct place, issue time, and valid period.
- Explain probability without converting it into rain duration.
- Apply every hourly preference condition and threshold boundary.
- Track a forecast update and respond to the stated trigger.
- Build a decision card with a feasible fallback, recheck times, and alert precedence.
Review and revise
Use these criteria to check your work and choose what to improve.
- Forecast values retain location, period, and units.
- Probability and threshold reasoning are accurate.
- The updated decision uses the latest comparable evidence.
- The plan follows current official alert instructions and preserves unknowns.
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The idea in everyday life
Fictional alert cards, not live alerts: A severe thunderstorm watch covers Eastbank until 6 p.m.—conditions may support severe storms. B severe thunderstorm warning covers campus now until 3:30 p.m.—severe weather has been reported or indicated by radar. The drawing group is outside near a substantial campus building. Follow official local instructions; no shelter drill is required.
Forecast preferences guide planning; official alerts can require protective action.
Distinguish watches from warnings: guided practice
Forecast preferences guide planning; official alerts can require protective action.
Use paper or a free local text editor. This is an original fictional practice case; do not submit its records to a real service. Start this lesson with these facts, even if an earlier variation changed them. Fictional alert cards, not live alerts: A severe thunderstorm watch covers Eastbank until 6 p.m.—conditions may support severe storms. B severe thunderstorm warning covers campus now until 3:30 p.m.—severe weather has been reported or indicated by radar. The drawing group is outside near a substantial campus building. Follow official local instructions; no shelter drill is required.
1. Read the coverage
Match place and valid time before interpreting the alert.
You should see: Card B applies to campus now.
An alert matters to the area and period it covers.
2. Interpret the watch
Write the planning implication of Card A.
You should see: Be prepared, stay informed, and be ready to act.
A watch describes possible severe conditions.
3. Interpret the warning
Write the immediate implication of Card B.
You should see: Stop the outdoor activity and take shelter in a substantial building, following local instructions.
A warning signals imminent danger, not a time to finish an activity first.
4. Reject competing signals
Compare the warning with a low rain percentage on an old card.
You should see: The current applicable warning takes precedence.
An old planning percentage cannot cancel a protective alert.
What to finish
Distinguish watches from warnings record with the worked decisions and changed-case check.
Watch for this
Treating a warning as a suggestion to monitor until the activity finishes.
How can I tell I understand it?
Interpret an applicable severe-weather alert and choose the appropriate immediate response. Explain the evidence behind the result and correct any mismatch.
Quick knowledge check
Answer all 3 questions. Get at least 2 right and the lesson completes automatically.
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Answer all 3 questions above and get at least 2 right. You can review the explanations and try again.
Go to the knowledge checkOptional course overview video · same video as Lesson 1
How to Find Your Hourly Forecast
From NWSLouisville. Watch here or open it on YouTube .
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Source & access notes · checked 2026-09-12
Inspected watch versus warning and immediate action for severe thunderstorm warnings.
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