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Watch Operations at the NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center Daniel McCarthy Warning Coordination Meteorologist Daniel.McCarthy@noaa.gov

Storm Prediction Center Operations Products Outlooks Mesoscale Discussions Watches Watch Status Message

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Forecaster Duties Lead Forecasters COLLABORATE/OVERSEE ISSUANCE OF ALL SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AND TORNADO WATCH PRODUCTS ISSUE 1630 UTC DAY 1 CONVECTIVE OUTLOOK ISSUE 0730/0830 UTC DAY 2 CONVECTIVE OUTLOOK ISSUE 1100 UTC DAY 3 CONVECTIVE OUTLOOK SHIFT SUPERVISOR Outlook Forecasters ISSUE 0600 UTC, 1300 UTC, 2000 UTC AND 0100 UTC DAY 1 CONVECTIVE OUTLOOKS ISSUE 1730 UTC DAY 2 CONVECTIVE OUTLOOKS ISSUE (LEAD) OUTLOOKS DURING WATCH SITUATIONS OTHER DUTIES DIRECTED BY LEAD FORECASTER

Forecaster Duties Mesoscale Forecasters MONITORS/ANALYSES WEATHER OBS AND MESOSCALE ANALYSIS ISSUES MESOSCALE DISCUSSIONS SEVERE WEATHER POTENTIAL CONVECTIVE TRENDS HEAVY (CONVECTIVE) RAINFALL MESOSCALE WINTER WEATHER OUTLOOK UPGRADES ISSUES STATUS MESSAGES IN COORDINATION WITH ASST. MESO FORECASTER Assistant Mesoscale Forecasters ISSUES STATUS MESSAGES/MESOSCALE DISCUSSIONS IN COORDINATION WITH MESOSCALE FORECASTER COORDINATES GENERAL THUNDERSTORM FORECAST WITH OUTLOOK FORECASTER ISSUES 1000 UTC DAY 1 AND DAY 2 FIRE WEATHER OUTLOOKS

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Tornado Watch Philosophy ISSUED WHEN A STRONG/VIOLENT TORNADO IS POSSIBLE 3 OR MORE TORNADOES OF ANY INTENSITY ARE EXPECTED

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Philosophy ISSUED WHEN 6 OR MORE ORGANIZED EVENTS HAIL ¾” DIAMETER OR LARGER DAMAGING WINDS OF 50 KT OR GREATER

Organized & Extreme Convection ORGANIZED CONVECTION SUPERCELLS SQUALL LINES MESOSCALE COMPLEXES EXTREME (SIGNIFICANT) CONVECTION HAIL 2.00” DIAMETER OR LARGER CONVECTIVE WIND GUST   65 KT OR GREATER TORNADOES CAUSING F2 OR GREATER DAMAGE

Watch Size & Duration Size Median = 25,000 mi2 Range 8,000 – 35,000 mi2 Duration Approx. 6 hours Let meteorology dictate Watches for tropical systems – 12 hours

PDS Watches Issued for 2 or more tornadoes potentially producing F2 or greater damage Potential for widespread damaging winds greater than 65 kt (derecho)

Mesoscale Convective Discussions

Mesoscale Convective Discussions

WATCH STATUS MESSAGES Defines area where severe weather is possible Issued :30 past the hour while watch is valid Within an hour prior to expiration Discussions are referenced to latest MD Accompanied by a graphic