What are the different types of weather alerts?

The National Weather Service issues several types of alerts in increasing order of urgency: Statements (informational updates, no immediate threat), Advisories (weather conditions that are unusual or inconvenient but not immediately dangerous), Watches (conditions favor severe weather forming; be alert and ready), and Warnings (severe weather is occurring or imminent; take immediate action). You may also see Special Weather Statements for significant changes or clarifications. The exact naming varies by weather type — you'll see Winter Storm Warnings, Heat Advisories, Tornado Watches, Flood Warnings, etc., but the hierarchy of alert types remains the same.