Severe thunderstorms can turn dangerous fast, with damaging winds, large hail, frequent lightning, and sometimes tornadoes. Enter your US ZIP code below to check whether a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for your area right now. We also show any active Tornado Warnings and watches, straight from the National Weather Service.
What is the difference between a severe thunderstorm watch and a warning?
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are right for severe storms to develop, so you should stay alert and have a plan. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning means a severe storm is happening or about to happen in the warned area, so you should take action now. An easy way to remember it: a watch means the ingredients are in place, and a warning means the storm is here.
What makes a thunderstorm severe?
The National Weather Service issues a Severe Thunderstorm Warning when a storm produces, or is expected to produce, hail at least one inch in diameter (about the size of a quarter) or wind gusts of 58 mph or higher. These storms can also bring dangerous lightning, heavy rain, and flash flooding, which are handled under separate warnings.
What to do during a Severe Thunderstorm Warning
- Get indoors and stay away from windows.
- Avoid corded electronics and plumbing while there is lightning.
- Never drive through a flooded road. Turn around, do not drown.
- If a Tornado Warning is issued, move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows.
- Keep a way to get updates: a NOAA Weather Radio, your phone’s emergency alerts, or weather.gov.
Where this information comes from
This tool reads live data from the National Weather Service (NOAA) public alert system, the same source used by broadcasters and emergency managers. Results update continuously. Because warnings follow the path of a storm and do not line up exactly with ZIP code boundaries, always confirm with official sources before you make a safety decision.