FAQs

Q: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WATCH AND A WARNING?

A: A watch means that severe weather is possible in and close to the watch area. Watches are issued for a large area for a large span of time. In most cases, there won't be severe weather all over the watch area, and in rare cases, there will be no severe weather in the watch area.

A warning means that severe weather is occurring, has been spotted or is likely. Proper action should be taken to protect life and property.

Q: WHY DO YOU CUT INTO PROGRAMMING?

A: Our goal is keep programming running as long as possible. But when LIFE-THREATENING severe weather is moving through any part of our viewing area, the policy of KXXV-TV/DT is to cut into programming and alert the people in the path of the severe weather. Some smaller severe weather events will require few, if any cut-ins. Some larger events, such as tornado outbreaks, will require extended coverage.

 

Q: YOU CUT IN FOR AREAS THAT ARE FAR AWAY FROM WACO/KILLEEN/TEMPLE. JUST HOW FAR DOES YOUR SIGNAL GO?

A: We cover a large area of Central Texas. We treat all counties equally. In the KXXV-TV weather department, we see no county lines. It may sometimes seem as if we cut into your show to warn viewers who don't live anywhere near you. But remember, one day we will interrupt THEIR show to warn YOU.

We give severe weather information for the following counties: Bell, Bosque, Brazos, Burleson, Burnet, Coryell, Falls, Freestone, Hamilton, Hill, Lampasas, Leon, Limestone, Madison, McLennan, Milam, Mills, Navarro, Robertson San Saba and Williamson

 

Q: IF MY POWER GOES OUT, HOW CAN I GET WEATHER INFORMATION?

A: Our strongest suggestion is to get a battery-powered television so you can monitor our broadcasts. The second option would be to get a NOAA Weather Radio, available at most electronic stores.

 

Q: CAN WE GET YOUR FORECAST OVER THE RADIO?

A: KXXV-TV has partnered with Star 92.9 and ESPN Radio 1660 to bring you your forecast when you are away from your television.

 

Q: MY CHILD IS SCARED BY THE SEVERE WEATHER BULLETINS YOU PUT ON THE AIR. WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT THAT?

A: Reassure your children. Make sure they know that you are aware of the threat and that you'll be protecting them in the event of an emergency. It's a good idea to watch the severe weather coverage with your children and talk about what's going on. We live in "Tornado Alley" but it's still very rare to have a tornado pass directly overhead. And be sure your children know what to do if they are at home alone during a storm.

 

Q: I WANT TO BE A STORMCHASER. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

A: Stormchasing is EXTREMELY dangerous and should be left to trained professionals. There has yet to be a fatality due to stormchasing but that day will likely come. Roads become congested with people driving toward tornadoes and this creates a hazard for emergency officials who are trying to perform rescues or other duties after a tornado.

 

Q: I WANT TO BE A METEOROLOGIST. WHAT CLASSES SHOULD I TAKE AND WHAT SCHOOLS DO YOU RECOMMEND?

A: Meteorology is a difficult science. After you've taken as much math and science that you can, take more, such as physics, algebra, calculus, earth science...the list can go on and on.

Your choice of college depends on what you want to specialize in. In our opinion, the two best nearby schools are the University of Oklahoma and Texas A&M. These are excellent schools especially for research and if you want to be in a severe weather environment. For television, we might suggest Mississippi State University. It specializes in broadcast meteorology and a lot of its students get hired immediately after graduation. Many other 'State' universities such as Penn State, Florida State and Ohio State have renowned meteorology programs as well.