storm warning

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

storm′ warn′ing, 

1. Meteorology a showing of storm signals.
2. Meteorology a National Weather Service warning of winds having speeds of 48 knots (55 mph, 25 m/sec) or greater. Cf. hurricane warning, warning (def. 3).
3. any sign of approaching trouble:
   The troops on the border were a storm warning, and we prepared for war. His angry look was a storm warning.
• 1865–70