View the Lightning Strikes Map
The National Lightning map shows where cloud-to-ground lightning strikes have occurred in the last hour.

View the Weather Alerts
Current National Advisory Board Watches and Warnings by type and state throughout the United States. Select a state to view its available Watches and Warning Alerts.

View the Severe Outlook Today
WSI's Severe Outlook Map displays current National Weather Service Watches, Warnings and Advisories via County Fill colors both nationally and regionally.

A storm is any disturbed state of an astronomical body's atmosphere, especially affecting its surface, and strongly implying severe weather. It may be marked by strong wind, thunder and lightning (a thunderstorm), heavy precipitation, such as ice (ice storm), or wind transporting some substance through the atmosphere (as in a dust storm, snowstorm, hailstorm, etc).

Storms are created when a center of low pressure develops, with a system of high pressure surrounding it. This combination of opposing forces can create winds and result in the formation of storm clouds, such as the cumulonimbus. Small, localized areas of low pressure can form from hot air rising off hot ground, resulting in smaller disturbances such as dust devils and whirlwinds.

Ice Storm Blizzard Snow Storm Ocean Storm

Firestorm Wind Storm Squall Gale

Thunderstorm Tropical Cyclone Hail Storm Tornado

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