Lightning Activity Level (LAL)
| Level | LAL Indicators | |
| LAL1 | · | No thunderstorms |
| LAL2 | · | Isolated thunderstorms. |
| · | Light rain occasionally reaches the ground. | |
| · | Lightning very infrequent. | |
| · | 1-5 strikes in 5 minutes. | |
| LAL3 | · | Widely scattered thunderstorms. |
| · | Light to moderate rain will reach the ground. | |
| · | Lightning is infrequent. | |
| · | 6-10 strikes in 5 minutes. | |
| LAL4 | · | Scattered thunderstorms. |
| · | Moderate rain is commonly produced. | |
| · | Lightning is frequent. | |
| · | 11-15 strikes in 5 minutes. | |
| LAL5 | · | Numerous thunderstorms. |
| · | Rainfall is moderate to heavy. | |
| · | Lightning is frequent and intense. | |
| · | More than 15 strikes in 5 minutes. | |
| LAL6 | · | Widely scattered dry thunderstorms. |
| · | No rain reaches the ground. | |
| · | Lightning is infrequent. | |
| · | May constitute the issuance of a Red Flag Warning. |
Weather Watch/Weather Warning
A Watch is used when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location, and/or timing is still uncertain.
A Warning is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, is imminent, or has a very high probability of occurring. A warning is used for conditions posing a threat to life or property.