Detailed description of weather products
Area Forecast Discussion (AFD) - An extremely detailed report, dealing with weather conditions observed by the reporting station. For advanced weather observers.
Civil Emergency Message (CEM) - Issued at the request of law enforcement, or other emergency management agency, when a disaster (such as a plant explosion, toxic spill, or other emergency) strikes.
Flash Flood Watch (FFA) - Issued by the NWS when the potential of a flash flood exist.
Flash Flood Warning (FFW) - Issued by the NWS when flash flooding is occurring in a particular area.
Flash Flood Statement (FFS) - Issued by the NWS to update the public about a particular flash flood watch/warning.
Fire Weather Forecast (FWF) - Issued by the NWS to forecast the conditions of possible wildfires within a particular area. Could be issued several times/day in a fire-prone area, due to dry/drought conditions.
Hazardous Weather Outlook (HWO) - Issued by the NWS, to forecast the potential of hazardous/severe weather. Issued 1-4 times a day in some areas. Very detailed report, when severe weather is imminent. For beginner & advanced weather observers.
Local Storm Report (LSR) - Issued by the NWS to report storm/snow/ice conditions, caused by these conditions. Issued only when conditions warrant. Somewhat detailed.
Short Term Forecasts (NOWCASTS) - (NOW) - Issued by the NWS when conditions rapidly change, due to storms, winter weather, etc.. Valid for about 3-4 hours each dispatch.
Non-Precipitation Warning (NPW) - Issued by the NWS, for all other weather advisories, such as high wind, air stagnation, etc. Somewhat detailed
Public Information Statement (PNS) - Issued by NWS, when general information is to be released to the public, such as SKYWARN classes, co-op observer recognition, or other non-weather activity. Rarely used.
Record Event Report (RER) - Issued by NWS when record temperatures, rainfall, snowfall are recorded in a particular area. Report is very terse.
Regional Weather Summary (RWS) - Issued by NWS in most areas, once a day. A daily summary of expected weather in a particular area. Not to be confused with the HWO, which deals with severe weather. Could be a lengthy, detailed report.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning (SVR) - Issued by NWS, and is what the name implies, based on criteria set by NWS.
Severe Weather Statement (SVS) - Issued by NWS, to describe conditions within a severe thunderstorm or tornado. Used to cancel warnings, when storms fall below severe limits.
State Forecast (SFP) - Issued by the MAIN NWS office in a particular state. Describes the general forecast for the state. Very lengthy, and detailed.
Regional Weather Roundup (SWR) - Issued by NWS about every hour, to show the current conditions at several observation points. Conditions such as temperature, wind speed & direction, barometric pressure, wind chill (or heat index) readings. Detailed report.
Tornado Warning (TOR) - Issued by NWS when a tornado, or the rotation thereof, is detected by Doppler Radar (NEXRAD). Also issued when the general public, or other emergency management personnel, spots a tornado (or the formation thereof). One of the most feared reports that is issued, since this means a tornado is on the ground, or in the formation.
Watch Outline Update (WOU) - One the newest products by the NWS, Replaces the old "SEL" report that was previously issued. Issued ONLY by the NWS-SPC in Norman, Oklahoma. This report covers severe thunderstorm & tornado watches all over the United States. Very detailed, and usually lasts 4-8 hours, although 10-12 hours has been issued in the past, but extremely rare. NOT to be confused with the Watch County Notification (WCN) product. The "WCN" replaces the old "SLS" report that was issued by individual states. The "WOU" is usually the precursor to the "WCN", and is much faster.
Winter Storm Watch/Warning (WSW) - Issued by NWS to advise of winter weather in a particular area. Very detailed, and also in the process of being re-vamped in scope. Precipitation covers sleet, snow, freezing rain, ice, etc. Mainly issued during winter months, although issuance can be expected, year-round, in the higher elevation mountains of the United States.
Zone Forecast (ZFP) - Issued by NWS to forecast general weather in a particular area. This is the ACTUAL forecast that radio, television, and newspapers receive. Detailed in scope, and can cover several counties/parishes.