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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.

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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.

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Related Questions

A tornado warning means that a tornado is likely to form?

Partially. A tornado warning means that a tornado is likely to form or already has formed.


Is A tornado warning a warning that tornadoes are expected?

Sort of. A tornado warning means that either a tornado has already formed or may form very soon.


What has the potential of producing a tornado with little or no advanced tornado warning?

Severe thunderstorms have the potential of producing a tornado with little or no advanced tornado warning.


Is it true that a tornado warning means that a tornado might form?

No. A tornado warning means that a tornado is likely to form or has already been spotted.


Is this sentence in passive voice or active voice The tornado warning scared you?

"The tornado warning scared you." is active voice. "You were scared by the tornado warning." is passive voice.


If a tornado is spotted what will be issued?

Tornado warning


When will the next tornado warning be?

Such a thing is impossible to predict. A tornado warning itself is a prediction that the threat of a tornado is imminent. As soon as signs indicate that a tornado warning is warranted, then one is issued. So there is no way of nowing when a tornado warning is going to be issued until it actually happens.


What is higher alert tornado warning or watch?

A tornado warning is a higher level of alert, often meaning that a tornado has formed.


What does it mean when meteorologists issue a tornado warning?

When a tornado warning means that a tornado has been spotted or detected or if a thunderstorm may produce a tornado at any moment.


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A tornado warning is an advisory that is issued when a tornado has either been spotted or detected or that a thunderstorm in the area is likely to produce a tornado soon.


What is the average warning time of a tornado strike?

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What is a difference between a tornado drill and a tornado warning?

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