Tornado Warning vs Tornado Watch

The Storm Prediction Center issues a tornado watch for counties where tornadoes and other severe weather are possible in the next several hours. The watch area is typically large — numerous counties or even states. A watch is your signal to prepare: review your emergency plan, take inventory of your supplies, check your safe room, and be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued.

Your local National Weather Service office issues a tornado warning when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property. Warnings cover a much smaller area — around the size of a city or small county. A warning is your signal to take shelter immediately.

• At home: go to your basement, safe room, or an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows.
• At work or school: follow your tornado drill; avoid large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums and auditoriums.
• Mobile home, shed or tent: none of these is safe. If you have time, get to a sturdy building.
• In a vehicle: a vehicle is not safe in a tornado. Drive to the closest shelter if you can. If you can't, either get down in the car and cover your head, or abandon it for a low-lying area such as a ditch or ravine. Do not try to outrun a tornado.

Hurricanes and tropical storms often — but not always — produce tornadoes, mostly in the outer rain bands on roughly the eastern half of the storm. They tend to be smaller and shorter-lived than tornadoes in the Midwest, which makes them harder to detect on radar and harder to warn for. If a hurricane is approaching your area, monitor both hurricane tracking and local tornado alerts. See also our guide on hurricane categories.

What is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?

A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible over the next several hours — prepare. A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar — take shelter immediately.

How big is a tornado watch?

A tornado watch typically covers a large area — numerous counties or even states — for the next several hours. A tornado warning covers a much smaller area, around the size of a city or small county.

What should I do during a tornado warning?

Take shelter immediately in a basement, safe room, or interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows. If you are in a mobile home, get to a sturdy building if you have time.

Can hurricanes cause tornadoes?

Often, but not always. Hurricane tornadoes mostly form in the outer rain bands on roughly the eastern half of the storm, and they tend to be small and short-lived, which makes them harder to warn for.