A tornado watch is when general conditions may lead to a tornado forming. A tornado warning is when a tornado has been spotted in the area or indicated by radar.
More Information:In the United States, both the tornado watch and the warning are issued by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman Oklahoma for every location in the country. They are typically issued for 6-10 hour periods and also usually in advance of the anticipated weather. It is left to local National Weather Service offices to detect severe thunderstorms and tornadoes and issue the appropriate warnings. It should be noted that a tornado warning does not necessarily mean that a tornado has been spotted - in fact, the majority of tornado warnings do not pan out as such. Most of these warnings are issued based on a radar signature, i.e. the meteorologist sees something on the Doppler radar that suggests strong rotation and a potential tornado, however more often than not a tornado will not form. However, a tornado warning should still be treated as if a tornado is imminent simply due to the severity of the situation. The last thing meteorologists want to do is not issue a warning when a tornado is in fact on the ground. If there is good evidence that a tornado could be on the ground, the warning is issued and emergency management personnel proceed as such, as the public should follow.
Some tornado safety links can be found in the related links.
A tornado warning means that a tornado has been spotted by Trained NWS or other Emergency Services Personel , or that Doppler radar indicates a thunderstorm circulation which can spawn a tornado. When a tornado warning is issued for your town or county, take immediate safety precautions. local NWS offices issue tornado warnings.
A severe thunderstorm watch means that conditions are favorable for thunderstorms to develop in the near future that contain large hail and/or damaging winds.
A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop in the near future and any thunderstorm that develops has the potential to produce a tornado.
A severe thunderstorm warning means that radar or a spotter sees a storm capable of producing damaging winds and/or large hail at the present moment.
A tornado warning means that radar or a spotter indicates a likely tornado within a storm currently and is headed your way (if you're in the warning) and you should take safe cover immediately. When a tornado warning is issued for your area, the best place to go is a basement. If no basement is available, go to the lowest floor, center room of your site-built home and have as many walls between you and the outdoors as possible. If available, use something to cover your head, such as a bike helmet, books, pillows, blankets or your hands. Mobile homes should be left and go to a sturdy site-built structure. If driving and hear a tornado warning for your area, go to the nearest store or business to take shelter. If you SEE the tornado while driving, pull over to the side of the road immediately, get out and lie flat on the ground (best option is a ditch or low-lying area) and cover your head. Do not go under an overpass, as these are NOT safe locations during a tornado.
A severe thunderstorm is any thunderstorm that produces hail to at least 1 inch in diameter, winds to at least 58 mph, or a tornado. A severe thunderstorm warning means that a thunderstorm has been detected that is capable of producing either 1+ inch hail or 58+ mph winds.
A tornado warning means that either a tornado has been reported or may form at any moment.
Well, the difference between a storm warning and a storm advisory is that a STORM WARNING is just informing the society that there is a chance of a storm. They are not making it final that there IS a storm coming in the direction stated. A STORM ADVISORY is when the people are looking out for a storm and keeping track of the storm's speed and acceleration... and the distance the storm is traveling in. That is the difference between a storm warning and a storm advisory. Hope this helps, and I am not too exact about my answer, but I told you what I knew! :)
one tells you be on a watch and the other one tells you to start packing up your stuff and go.
Basically, a hurricane warning tells people from the radio and televisions that there is going to be a hurricane. For example in Hurricane Katrina, it was said from the radio to evacuate or if you didn't evacuate, to store loads of food and water...etc :)
A tornado watch is a watch that is watching out for tornadoes. A tornado warning is a warning That lets you know that a tornado is spotted.
A warning is generally the worse advisory. Although it differs depending on which sort of watch or warning is issued, a watch means a particular event is possible. For example, if there is a tornado watch, it means that conditions are favorable for a tornado to form. A warning means the event is expected or probable. In a tornado warning, for example, it means that a tornado has been spotted or is forming.
No. A watch means conditions are favorable for a storm to occur. A warning means the storm is there/has already formed.
There are many different hurricane conditions that people should watch for including high winds. These conditions also include heavy rains, flooding, and flying objects.
Warning, because the hurricane is about to make landfall.
No. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours. A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected in the next 36 hours. So a warning indicates a greater danger.
Basically, a hurricane warning tells people from the radio and televisions that there is going to be a hurricane. For example in Hurricane Katrina, it was said from the radio to evacuate or if you didn't evacuate, to store loads of food and water...etc :)
A severe weather watch informs you when the conditions are right for severe weather to happen, while a warning means it is happening or is imminent, and is warning you to take immediate action.
A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected in an area within 36 hours.A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible in the next 48 hours.The term hurricane alert does not show up in the NOAA weather glossary.
A hurricane watch means conditions are favorable for a hurricane to develop, or if it has developed, it may approach your area. This is when you should start planning on precautions to take should it turn into a hurricane warning. A hurricane warning means one has developed and is predicted to hit your area. This is when you should start taking immediate precautions. For information on what precautions to take during a hurricane, see the related link below.
A warning is worse. It means that something (like a tornado) has been detected or the threat of one is imminent. A watch means the overall conditions are favorable to form bad weather (such as a tornado) in a general area.
A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible within the next 48 hours.
A storm watch means that the weather has the chance of turning into a storm. A storm warning means that the weather has turned bad and is headed your way.
A watch means that they think you might have severe weather, while a warning means you have severe weather, so get down!
No difference except one is mature.
A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm to the ground. A tornado watch is a weather advisory that indicates that conditions in a region are favorable for the formation of tornadoes.