The National Weather Service (NWS) is simplifying its heat alerts ahead of the summer season. The changes come after the United States recorded its hottest year on record in 2024. The NWS is renaming its heat watches and warnings to make them easier to understand.
Excessive Heat Watches will now be called Extreme Heat Watches, and Excessive Heat Warnings will be renamed Extreme Heat Warnings. Heat advisories will not be changed.
Michael Musher, NWS Public Affairs, said, “This effort integrates years of public and partner engagements and social science research to improve and evolve the alerting system. Renaming these Watch and Warning products also enables clear and timely decision support.
The NWS believes that the name change from ‘excessive’ to ‘extreme’ will improve communication and messaging that hazardous heat is dangerous.
NWS renames heat alerts for clarity
This name change also aligns the terminology with Extreme Cold Watches and Warnings. While the wording used by the NWS has changed, the criteria will remain the same. The Extreme Heat Watch will be issued within 24 to 48 hours before the area is forecast to reach warning criteria.
If the watch is issued, it means residents need to prepare for the possibility of dangerous heat and, if possible, reschedule outdoor activities to cooler hours. In the Huntsville area, an Extreme Heat Warning will be issued if the feel-like temperatures reach 110 degrees or greater or if the air temperature reaches 105 degrees or higher. When a warning is issued, it is crucial to take action to protect yourself from the dangerous heat: stay hydrated, stay out of the sun, move indoors, check on neighbors, and bring pets inside.
The changes are already in effect, so expect to see them this summer. The NWS has provided a recently updated page for tips and resources to help the nation prepare for the summer heat.
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