When it comes to the weather, there are two types of people: those who routinely check their weather app and tune into TV forecasts, and those who wing it. And most of the time, skipping the weather report doesn’t come with major consequences. Sure, you might leave your umbrella at home on a day with afternoon rain, or wear a heavy jacket on a warm spring day, but usually only your comfort is at stake.
Sometimes, however, things take a more serious turn, and there’s the potential for severe weather. To alert the public to possible threats, meteorologists use specific phrases that are designed to perk up your ears and demand your attention. But cutting through the technical jargon and media hype can be difficult, and it’s not always clear what action you should take. In fact, the lingo can be so confusing that you may find yourself tuning it out altogether.
Don’t. The terms meteorologists and other public safety experts use are part of a critical system designed to let the public—even those who don’t typically pay attention to the forecast—be alert to potential severe weather. These important weather terms are specifically chosen to relay critical information quickly, and there is definitely one that you should never ignore…