Tornadoes are unpredictable, frightening and devastating. Advance notifications of danger can save lives, and there are important differences in the information provided by the National Weather Service.
There are notifications you should be aware of before phone alerts are turned off or sirens begin to ring. The tornado clock and tornado warning both alerts of potential dangers, but carry different levels of urgency and seek different responses.
Tornado Watch: Get ready
The National Weather Service, or NWS, defines a tornado as “a violently rotating column of air that stretches from the root of a thunderstorm to the ground.” According to the NWS, these weather phenomena can erase well-built structures, uproot trees, and run through the air like a deadly missile.
Additionally, tornadoes can occur anytime, anywhere, NBC New York reports.
A tornado clock means that conditions are advantageous for a tornado to form. The NWS issues these watches when atmospheric conditions such as unstable air, wind shear and moisture create an environment in which tornadoes develop.
Tornado clocks usually cover a large area and can last for several hours.
The United States has more tornadoes than anywhere else on the planet, with over 1,000 people each year. As our planet gets hotter, the supercell storms become more powerful, shifting the position of Tornado alleys. National climate reporter and meteorologist Chase Cain explain the relationship between climate change and tornadoes.
What to do between tornado clocks:
Monitor local NWS alerts and weather radio to provide information. Review your home’s emergency plans and identify the safest shelter. Make sure you have the latest emergency kits that include flashlights, batteries, water and first aid supplies. If conditions deteriorate, be prepared to act promptly.
Tornado Warning: Take action immediately
Tornado warnings are far more urgent than clocks. It means that tornadoes are discovered or shown by radar, and that immediate action is required to protect lives and property.
Warnings are usually issued in areas smaller than the clock, usually less than an hour.
What to do during tornado warning:
Find the interior room on the lowest floor through the basement, stormy basement, or windows. If you’re in a mobile home or vehicle, you’ll immediately head to a sturdy shelter. Protect your head and neck with a helmet, blanket or arms. Evacuation until authorities have confirmed that they are safe if they appear.
Incorrect interpretation of tornado clocks and warnings can lead to delayed responses and unnecessary panic. The watch is in a tornado-friendly condition and means to encourage preparation. A warning means that a tornado is occurring or imminent, and requires immediate action.
Tornadoes form in minutes and there is little time for preparation. It is important to know the differences between these alerts and have a safety plan.
The beneficial analogy often taught to Texas children has the most tornadoes of any state in the US. A clock is like having all the ingredients to make a cake.
The warning means there is a cake.
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