Severe Weather
Severe Weather Outlook Categories: Marginal, Slight, Enhanced, Moderate, and High Risk
What severe weather outlook categories mean, how probabilities work, and why even lower risk days can produce dangerous storms.
Quick answer: Severe weather outlook categories summarize the chance and potential coverage of severe storms, not a guarantee for every town in the area.
Category meaning
Marginal and slight risks can still produce damaging storms, while enhanced, moderate, and high risks signal greater concern.
The category combines probability, coverage, and expected storm intensity.
Local risk
A broad outlook area does not mean every neighborhood will see severe weather.
Storms are often scattered, but individual storms can still be dangerous.
Planning use
Use outlooks for early planning, then watches and warnings for immediate action.
Check updates because outlooks can shift as ingredients change.