Areal flood watch?

I've only recently noticed the National Weather Service using the adjective "areal" in their watches and warnings.

Apparently, they've been using it for years now, but I only just noticed.

quote:

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The National Weather Service adopted the new term several years ago which generally means the same as the more commonly used “Flood Watch” designation. Basically an Areal Flood Watch means there is potential for flooding over a large area. The word “areal” is the adjective version of the noun “area.”

There’s no word on why the National Weather Service changed the name of the watch.

The word “areal” refers to an area, which is an expanse of space or a region of land. Not to be confused with “aerial” which means of or relating to the air. If a view existed from the air of a large expanse of land, it would be an aerial areal view; in other words a view of the area from the air.

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