How Will You Be Warned?

Two key alerts relate specifically to tornado conditions.

Tornado Watch - conditions are conducive to the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area.

Tornado Warning - a tornado has actually been sighted by spotters or indicated on radar and is occurring or imminent in the warning area. In addition, severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes, or cause damage of their own from wind gusts of 58 mph or greater and/or hail 3/4" in diameter or larger.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch conditions are conducive to the development of severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning a severe thunderstorm has actually been observed by spotters or indicated on radar, and is occurring or imminent in the warning area.

While tornadoes can still occur without a watch or warning being in effect, advances in the science and technology have greatly increased the ability of meteorologists to provide advance notice of them.

It is difficult to generalize the clues that portend tornadoes, and even potentially dangerous, as people looking for given conditions may be led to a false sense of security when these conditions are not present.