storm warning

[stawrm wawr-ning]

noun

1. a prominently displayed object, as a flag or lantern, or clearly audible sound, as from a horn or siren, that signals the expected arrival of a storm.

   As we speak, the island’s harbor masters are calling for storm warnings to be hoisted up every available flagpole.

2. Meteorology.,  a notification by the National Weather Service of anticipated or occurring winds with sustained speeds of 48 knots (55 miles per hour, 25 meters per second) to 63 knots (73 miles per hour, 32 meters per second), or frequent gusts within that range, and not directly associated with a tropical cyclone.

3. any sign or indication of approaching trouble, adversity, unrest, etc..

   The arrival of troops at the border was an ominous storm warning.

   I could easily interpret that look on Mom’s face as a storm warning for me and my brother.

storm warning

noun

1. a pattern of lights, flags, etc, displayed at certain ports as a warning to shipping of an approaching storm

2. an announcement on radio or television of an approaching storm

3. any warning of approaching danger or trouble

Word History and Origins

Origin of storm warning¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Although at this stage Erin is not expected to make a direct hit to land, the rains caused by the storm are already beginning to hit the south-eastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, where a tropical storm warning is in effect.

Read more on BBC

The rains caused by the storm are already beginning to hit the south-eastern Bahamas, and the Turk and Caicos Islands, where a tropical storm warning is in effect.

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The governor, who had spent part of the day surveying the flood zone, said authorities had issued a storm warning and knew about a possible flash flood, but "didn't know the magnitude of the storm".

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Wet and snowy weather is expected to linger in the upper half of the state through Monday, and a winter storm warning remains in effect for the northern Sierra Nevada, including the Lake Tahoe area, until 11 p.m. warning of heavy snow and winds gusting as high as 75 mph.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A winter storm warning remains in effect for the Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara county mountains through 5 a.m.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• forecast