A watch means the ingredients are there for severe weather. A warning means it is happening. But there are differences based on weather type.

Weather hazard maps have nearly 100 colors including six variations of red, a "bisque," "moccasin," cornflower blue, and Dodger blue. Experts are working to simplify the alerts.

Hurricane Erin continues its northerly track and is set to deliver impacts to the beaches in New Jersey and Delaware.

Hurricane Erin on Thursday began to move away from the U.S. East Coast while the National Hurricane Center tracked two more Atlantic systems with a chance to develop into the season’s next ...