Particularly Dangerous Situation Tornado Watch

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Category four is a placeholder; it is “enhanced wording” used by the Storm Prediction Center. This warning is issued at the discretion of the forecaster; less than 3% of watches are classified in this level.

 

It is categorized by confusion. Will there be a storm, or not? It is a judgment call, a subjective assessment that will alter the fate of a community.

 

This is when a family tiptoes around each other as if sound is the trigger of destruction.

 

It is when the flipped coin balances precariously on its edge: heads, she stays, tails she goes.