Explaining the difference in severe weather risk categories

What does a “slight” risk mean? What’s does an “enhanced” risk include? Here’s how to know what to expect, based on what severe weather threat you are under.

Severe Weather Team 2 is constantly updating their forecast on the Severe Weather Team 2 app and on Channel 2 Action News.

Marginal Risk

• Isolated severe thunderstorms possible
• Limited in duration and/or coverage and/or intensity
• Winds 40 to 60 mph
• Hail up to 1 inch
• Low tornado risk

Slight Risk

• Scattered severe storms possible
• Short-lived and/or not widespread, isolated intense storms possible
• One or two tornadoes possible
• Reports of strong winds/wind damage

Enhanced Risk

• Numerous severe storms possible
• More persistent and/or widespread, a few intense
• A few tornadoes possible
• Several reports of wind damage
• Damaging hail, 1 to 2 inches

Moderate Risk

• Widespread severe storms likely
• Long-lived, widespread and intense
• Strong tornadoes possible
• Widespread wind damage
• Destructive hail, 2 inches or larger

High Risk

• Widespread severe storms expected
• Long-lived, very widespread and particularly intense
• Tornado outbreak possible
• Derecho (a long-lived wind storm)

Cox Media Group