What to do during a Tornado Watch

One of the most frightening display's of nature is a tornado, but also one of the most awe-inspiring. Winds within a tornado can reach greater that 300 miles per hour in the most powerful of storms. Damage can range from a few knocked over chairs, to entire neighborhoods wiped away in seconds. Thankfully, we can rest a little easier by having a little lead time. Research continues to learn conditions on how tornadoes form and are favorable for such powerful acts of nature to generate. This lead time becomes designated into a certain geographic area determined the most likely location for the formation of tornadoes, thus a Tornado Watch will be issued for that area.

A Tornado Watch is issued by a national office in Norman, Oklahoma. This office is called the Storm Prediction Center and is responsible for the entire United States for Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado Watch boxes. This would be your first step towards determining if a Tornado Watch has been issued for your area or the area you are traveling to. The Storm Prediction Center or SPC, also issue 1, 2, and 3 day convective outlooks. These will list a general, slight risk, moderate risk, or high risk for severe weather for a geographic location. In general, areas in a moderate or high risk circled area most likely will have the highest percentage of having a Tornado Watch. The Tornado Watch to be considered the most life-threatening is a PDS Watch Box, known as a Particularly Dangerous Situation. These are when numerous tornadoes or strong tornadoes are expected in the watch Box area.

If you are in a Tornado Watch are, these are the things you should consider. First, stay calm. Just because you are in a Tornado Watch, does not mean you will have a tornado. A watch means conditions are favorable, a warning means that one has been sighted or could occur any moment. Do not confuse the two. Secondly, have a safe place planned. Knowing where to go during an emergency is a life saver. Especially when traveling, you are in an unfamiliar location. Plan ahead, but remember, still enjoy your activities because a watch does not mean a tornado is happening, just that conditions are favorable. Monitor local television stations and radio, or purchase a portable weather radio. The National Weather Service transmits across the country on just a few main transmitter frequencies, so you should be able to always pickup their transmission no matter where you go. If traveling or at home, have a small kit in your trunk or location in your home. Flashlight, batteries, small transmitter radio, first aid kit, etc. In the most severe situations, it does not take long for a watch to become a warning.

If you are outside during a Tornado Watch and you see the skies darken, it is best to go inside and check the weather. Conditions favorable for tornadoes, storms can move fast with individual storm cells moving with speeds up to 70 miles per hour, so your time to take cover may be short. If you are driving in an area in a Tornado Watch with an approaching storm, do not be afraid to pull off on an exit and ride the storm out. Your check in time can wait, a tornado can occur with little or no warning at any time. If in a hotel, motel, resort, etc, ask where their designated tornado protection areas are located in case a warning is issued. These tips above should help with what to do during a Tornado Watch. A Tornado Watch will normally last about 8 hours, and usually cancelled for your area earlier. If you are at home, you probably already know what to do, but if traveling, it becomes more difficult to the unfamiliar surroundings. Above all, ask, use common sense, stay alert, and stay safe.