Storm Watch
Severe weather is the leading cause of grid outages. Storm Watch allows you to maximize savings by keeping a low backup reserve percentage in Self-Powered or Time-Based Control mode, while still having peace of mind that Powerwall will automatically react to protect you during a severe weather event.
When Storm Watch is enabled, Powerwall will automatically activate Storm Watch mode when the National Weather Service sends a severe weather alert. This mode pushes the limits and charges Powerwall to maximum capacity so it can provide backup power.
You will receive an app notification when Storm Watch mode is activated. This remains active until the weather event ends, and your system will return to its previously selected mode. Although you cannot manually activate Storm Watch mode or adjust its behavior, you can enable or disable Storm Watch altogether or opt out of an active Storm Watch weather alert.
Severe Weather Events
Storm Watch mode is triggered during severe weather events that are more likely to damage power lines and cause power outages. Storm Watch mode activates when the weather event has advanced in severity, and one of the following watches or warnings has been issued in your local area:
- Hurricane (watch or warning)
- Tropical storm (watch or warning)
- Red flag (warning)
- Thunderstorm or severe thunderstorm (warning)
- Tornado (warning)
- Winter storm (warning)
- Blizzard (warning)
- High wind (warning)
- Ice storm (warning)
- Snow squall (warning)
- Wind chill (warning)
- Flood (warning)
- Flash flood (warning)
- Coastal flood (warning)
- Lakeshore flood (warning)
If Storm Watch mode hasn’t activated based on your local weather conditions, and you prefer additional energy security, set a higher Backup Reserve in advance of an anticipated grid outage.
Note: To better prepare yourself for everyday weather events or other grid instability, visit your utility provider’s website for updates. If your system has been affected by a natural disaster, learn more about what to do following a force majeure event.
Enabling Storm Watch
Step 1: From the home screen, open the ‘Settings’ menu.
Step 2: Scroll down, and then enable ‘Storm Watch.’ You can disable or re-enable Storm Watch at any time.
Your system will continue to operate as normal, and your Powerwall will automatically react to severe weather events that may cause a grid outage. When Storm Watch mode activates due to a severe weather event in your area, Powerwall charges to full, protecting you against outages.
Opting Out of an Active Storm
Step 1: From the home screen, tap the ‘Storm Watch’ banner.
Step 2: Tap ‘Opt out for this storm.’ Storm Watch mode will deactivate during the current weather event, and your system will return to its previously selected mode.
Note: Storm Watch will continue monitoring, and your Powerwall will automatically react to any new severe weather events that may occur.
Supported Regions: United States, U.K., Australia and New Zealand
Note: We use an open database of cell tower locations to improve the performance of features, including Storm Watch accuracy. OpenCelliD Project is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Some location data is powered by Unwired Labs.