| Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tell you
what I think about the map?
You are welcome to provide us feedback
about the Watch/Warning maps.
Web Based Watch/Warning/Advisory
Map Colors
The National Weather Service issues a variety of severe weather
warnings, watches, advisories, and statements. These warnings,
watches, etc. may be issued for a single forecast zone (usually
one county or a part of a county) or for many forecast zones. The
events are indicated on the map by different colors. Only one event
per forecast zone can be shown on the map at a time, a forecast
zone may have several warnings and watches in effect but only
the most significant threat to life or property is displayed
on the map. By clicking on the map to the forecast pages, you can
read the text of all warnings, watches, etc. in effect for the forecast
zone.
Is there a list of all
warnings and watches and the colors?
Below is a list of all warnings, watches, advisories, and statements
that display on the maps and the associated color and color name.
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New
Web Based Watch/Warning/Advisory Map Colors
Why change the colors? The previous map process allowed only 30
colors to be used. This caused complaints when we tried to use
one color for several different watch/warning/advisory products.
The new map process allows than 80 colors (one for each product).
In theory, this allows us to convey more information to the users
- The new colors were basedlined from suggestions from web usablity
experts. They are less "glarey" and toned down to be
easier on the eyes;
- The increase of colors allowed products to be grouped by hue;
For instance frost and freeze are blue, colors usually associated
with the cold.
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How often does
the map update?
The map updates approximately every 5 minutes with all warnings,
watches, advisories, and statements in effect.
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When I click
on the map for a forecast, I get a forecast for a completely
different area. Why?
The map pages were set up for optimized for either 4 X 3 (1.33)
or 5 X 4 (1.25) aspects. Many new laptop screen resolutions are
optimized for wide-screen DVD displays (16 X 9 or a 1.6 or 1.77
aspect).
If you have recently purchased a new laptop with a wide screen
and you find that you click in one area and get forecasts for
a different location, you may want to check your screen resolution
and set to one of the following: (Microsoft has provided instructions
for checking or changing screen resolution on the Microsoft
Windows XP website)
800 X 600 (aspect 1.333) (SVGA)
1024 X 768 (aspect 1.333)
1152 X 864 (aspect 1.333)
1280 X 768 (aspect 1.25) (XGA)
1280 X 1024 (aspect 1.25) (SXGA)
1400 X 1050 (aspect 1.333) (SXGA+)
1600 X 1200 (aspect 1.333) (UXGA)
1600 X 1280 (aspect 1.25)
Resolutions that are most likely to cause problems with the "Point
and Click" interface of the WWA maps include:
1366 X 768 (aspect 1.778)(WXGA)
1680 X 1050 (aspect 1.6)(WSXCA+)
1920 X 1200 (aspect 1.778)(UXGA)
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What is UTC?
Universal Time Coordinated is a standard
time convention used in taking weather observations. To learn more, please
go here.
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