From tornado producing thunderstorms to hurricanes and dangerous flooding, severe weather can come in many forms. But not just any thunderstorm can be deemed severe. We explain what makes weather severe and the specific criteria that make a thunderstorm severe.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued Wednesday for the Morgan Hill / Gilroy area, which included the possibility of a tornado, the National Weather Service said.

Severe thunderstorms may cause power lines and trees to be blown down, and mobile homes and other buildings to be damaged, the NWS said. The agency added that flying debris from deadly winds can be deadly, and urged people to stay away from windows. "Seek shelter in a sturdy structure until the storm has passed," the NWS said.

A swath of the southern U.S. from Texas to Florida could see thunderstorms over the weekend, meteorologists say.

PINE BELT, Miss. (WDAM) - A quartet of counties in the Pine Belt area could be in for some thunder and lightning for the next 40 minutes or so. The National Weather Service office in Jackson issued a severe thunderstorm warning until 10:30 p.m. Saturday for the following:

A high risk of rip currents through Tuesday evening and small craft advisories through Wednesday morning have also been issued.

A new piece of forecasting technology from the National Weather Service could revolutionize how severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings are issued in the future.

National Weather Service (NWS) generally uses a three-tiered approach, consisting of outlooks, watches, and warnings.

Santa Clara and San Benito counties are included in an updated severe thunderstorm warning issued by the National Weather Service on Wednesday at 2:59 p.m. The warning is in effect until 3:30 p.m.

NWS suggested tornadoes are possible, with wind gusts to 75 mph and isolated storms with large hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch at 9:27 p.m. on Tuesday in effect until Wednesday at 3 a.m. for Barbour, Bullock, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Etowah,

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued by the National Weather Service on Tuesday at 9:59 p.m. in effect until 11:15 p.m. for Calhoun County.