PLEASE NOTE THAT WE FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION'S "NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE" WHEN IT COMES TO ISSUING ANYTHING ON THE AWS WEATHER NET BUT, "SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN WEATHER SERVICE" WILL ISSUE OUR OWN ADVISORIES AS WELL. IF THE "NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE" ISSUES ANYTHING FOR OUR COUNTY WARNING AREA WE WILL CERTAINLY POST IT INSTEAD OF OUR PRODUCTS.
*THE PRODUCTS WILL ALWAYS BE POSTED IN TYPED FORM ABOVE THE LEGEND GRAPHIC BELOW THIS, AND THE PRODUCT AND COUNTY THAT IS AFFECTED WILL BE COLOR CODED.

AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES:

*OCEANA *NEWAYGO *MECOSTA *MUSKEGON *MONTCALM *OTTAWA *KENT *IONIA *ALLEGAN *BARRY *EATON *VAN BUREN *KALAMAZOO *CALHOUN *BERRIEN *CASS *ST. JOSEPH *BRANCH

Basic Definitions:

These are the basic definitions that go along with the color coded legend under the map that you will see on the "AWS Weather Net". We hope this will help you understand how we distribute these products.

Outlook:
Used to give considerable lead time that a hazardous event may develop.

Watch:

Issued when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location, and/or timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time so those who need to set their plans in motion can do so.

Warning:

Issued when a hazardous event is occurring or has a very high probability of occurrence. Warnings advise of a threat to life or property.

Advisory:

Issued when a hazardous event is occurring or has a very high probability of occurrence. Advisories describe events that cause significant inconvenience.