A watch means the ingredients are there for severe weather. A warning means it is happening. But there are differences based on weather type.

Much of North Carolina’s Outer Banks region is under a tropical storm watch with Hurricane Erin expected to skirt the area Wednesday through Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

A tropical storm watch was issued by the NWS Newport/Morehead City NC on Monday at 4:50 p.m. in effect until Tuesday at 2 a.m. for Ocracoke Island.

The NWS Newport/Morehead City NC released an updated storm surge watch at 5:05 a.m. on Tuesday in effect until 1:15 p.m. for Ocracoke Island.

An updated fire weather watch was released by the NWS Hanford CA on Monday at 7:50 p.m. valid from Wednesday 9 a.m. until Saturday 9 p.m. for Fort Tejon.

Watches, warnings, special weather statements and advisories can mean different things based on the weather event, location and the vulnerabilities of an area. In general, weather statements, advisories and warnings are considered "short fuse" alerts that ...

According to the National Weather Service, tornadoes are possible along with isolated hail up to quarter-size.