A  severe thunderstorm watch for Cobb County and other north Georgia counties is in effect until Monday Morning, March 27, at 1 a.m.

What is in the statement?

The statement gives the following details:

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 90 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 AM EDT 

FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS 

GA 

.    GEORGIA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE 

BARROW               BUTTS               CARROLL 

CHATTAHOOCHEE        CLAYTON             COBB 

COWETA               CRAWFORD            DEKALB 

DOUGLAS              FAYETTE             FULTON 

GWINNETT             HARALSON            HARRIS 

HEARD                HENRY               JASPER 

LAMAR                MARION              MERIWETHER 

MONROE               MUSCOGEE            NEWTON 

PAULDING             PIKE                ROCKDALE 

SPALDING             TALBOT              TAYLOR 

TROUP                UPSON               WALTON

What is the difference between a “severe thunderstorm watch and severe thunderstorm warning?”

On its website, the National Weather Service defines the difference between a “severe thunderstorm watch” and a “severe thunderstorm warning” as follows:

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued when severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. It does not mean that they will occur. It only means they are possible.

Severe thunderstorms are defined as follows:

1) Winds of 58 mph or higher

AND/OR

2) Hail 1 inch in diameter or larger.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued when severe thunderstorms are occurring or imminent in the warning area.

Severe thunderstorms are defined as follows:

1) Winds of 58 mph or higher

AND/OR

2) Hail 1 inch in diameter or larger.

About the National Weather Service

The National Weather Service (NWS) is a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The NWS describes its role as follows:

“The National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather, water, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas, for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy. 

“These services include Forecasts and Observations, Warnings, Impact-based Decision Support Services, and Education in an effort to build a Weather-Ready Nation. The ultimate goal is to have a society that is prepared for and responds to weather, water and climate events.”

>>> Read all the Cobb County Courier climate and weather coverage by following this link.