BrochuresWeather watches, warnings and advisories
For the safety of people and property, Environment Canada issues severe weather warnings and watches and advisories to the public via the media, weather outlets and Weatheradio Canada.
This fact sheet lists some of the more common weather watches, warnings and advisories issued by Environment Canada. Note that criteria for warnings are established to meet local and regional needs and may vary slightly from region to region across Canada. Contact your nearest weather outlet to confirm criteria for your area. Severe thunderstorm watchConditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms with large hail, heavy rain, intense lightning or damaging winds within the areas and times specified in the watch. You should secure or put away loose objects such as outdoor furniture, put your car in the garage, bring livestock to shelter and listen carefully for an updated weather report. Severe thunderstorm warningA severe storm has developed, producing one or more of the following conditions: heavy rain, damaging winds, hail of at least 20 mm in diameter or intense lightning. Severe thunderstorms may also produce tornadoes. The storm's expected motion and developments will be given in the warning. If you are in the area specified, take shelter indoors. Tornado watchConditions are favourable for the development of tornadoes within the areas and times specified in the watch. Be prepared to take shelter, preferably in the lower level of a sturdy building. Tornado warningOne or more tornadoes are occurring in the area specified. The expected motion, development and duration will be given in the warning. If you are in the path of a tornado, take emergency precautions immediately. If you are near the area specified in the warning, be alert for the development of additional tornadoes or severe thunderstorms. Freezing rain warningExpect slippery walking and driving conditions, and possible damage to trees and overhead wires due to rain freezing on contact to form a coating of ice. Avoid travel. Heavy rain warningIssued when heavy or prolonged rainfall is sufficient to cause local/widespread flooding. Expect 50 mm of rain over 12 hours or less, or 80 mm of rain in less than 24 hours. Frost warningA frost warning is issued when air temperatures are expected to fall to near freezing or below during the growing season, approximately May 15 to October 15. Protect your plants! Wind warningExpect winds blowing steadily at 60 km/h or more, or winds gusting to 90 km/h or more, for at least one hour. Secure or put away loose objects such as outdoor furniture, put your car in the garage, and bring livestock to shelter. Marine wind warnings
Dust storm advisoryIssued in the prairie provinces when blowing dust caused by high winds has reduced visibility to one kilometre or less. Under extreme conditions of widespread zero visibility, this bulletin may be issued as a warning. Dust can impair breathing for people and animals, and make travel hazardous. Blizzard warningExpect snow or blowing snow, with a severe windchill and visibility reduced to less than one kilometre, for four hours or more. Stock up on heating fuel and food. Stay indoors and wait out the storm. Heavy snowfall warningExpect a snowfall of 10 cm or more (15 cm or more in Ontario) in 12 hours or less. Travel could become hazardous. Winter storm warningIssued in Ontario when two or more winter conditions reach warning proportions (eg. wind and snow, or freezing rain followed by heavy snowfall). Be prepared to cancel travel plans and stay indoors. Windchill warningExpect very cold temperatures combining with wind to create outdoor conditions hazardous to human activity. Be prepared to stay indoors. Cold wave advisoryTemperatures are expected to drop by 20 Celsius or more within 18 hours. Dress warmly and check the weather forecast before travelling or venturing outdoors. This document is published by authority of the Minister of the Environment. Copyright Minister of Supply and Services Canada 1995. Catalogue number En57-24/24-1995E. ISSN 0715-0040. ISBN 0-662-22991-6.
Created :
2002-08-22
Modified :
2005-02-03
Reviewed :
2002-12-18
Url of this page : http://www.msc.ec.gc.ca
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