What is a tornado warning?

Mar 31, 2023 ... A tornado warning is more severe than a watch, according to the NWS. When a warning is issued, there is imminent danger and a tornado was ... Mar 30, 2025 ... A tornado watch means "be prepared." Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Review and discuss your emergency plans and check ... Lightening and hail are common in storms that produce tornadoes. Tornadoes may strike quickly, with little to no warning, causing extensive damage to structures ... Feb 19, 2024 ... The NWS describes a tornado as a “violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground.” Tornado season is generally March through August, although tornadoes can occur at any time of the year. They tend to occur in the afternoons and evenings. For someone trapped inside a tornado, they should be able to see a circular opening at the top that is about 50 to 100 feet wide, and around half a mile in ... A Tornado Emergency is issued when there is a verified, strong, damaging tornado currently on the ground and moving toward you. May 8, 2024 ... When the NWS Storm Prediction Center issues a tornado watch for an area, it means tornado development is possible and people in the area should ... Abstract The term “tornado outbreak” appeared in the meteorological literature in the 1950s and was used to highlight severe weather events with multiple ... Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center for counties where tornadoes may occur. The watch area is typically large, covering numerous counties or even ...