In Ford County, Kansas, on May 24, 2016, a tornado wreaked havoc as a funnel cloud swept across the landscapes near Dodge City in Ford County, Kan. While severe weather events in the United States typically peak between March and October, it is important to note that such dangerous weather phenomena can strike at any time.
Given the destructive potential and the threat they pose to life, understanding the critical disparity between a tornado watch and a tornado warning is paramount when receiving an alert through your phone or on television. This knowledge could literally be the difference between life and death.
Tornado Watches: Stay Prepared! When tornado watches are issued, it signifies that the atmospheric conditions in a broad area are conducive to the formation of tornadoes. Typically issued a few hours before the onset of severe weather, these watches serve as advance warnings to the public, prompting individuals to prepare and remain vigilant in case immediate action is required.
Tornado Warnings: Act Swiftly! Warnings are urgent notifications indicating an imminent threat to life and property, demanding immediate shelter seeking. Tornado warnings are issued when a tornado has been sighted, detected on weather radar, or is poised to touch down. Seek refuge in an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows. If you are in a mobile home, vehicle, or outdoors, swiftly seek shelter in the closest substantial building and safeguard yourself from potential flying debris.
Differentiating between tornado watches and warnings equips individuals with the knowledge necessary to take the appropriate actions when faced with the looming danger of severe weather following the issuance of a watch or warning.
Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Typically covering an area of about 25,000 square miles, equivalent to roughly half the size of Iowa, these watches are put in place when conditions are deemed favorable for severe thunderstorms or tornadoes.
Dan Kottlowski, Senior Meteorologist at AccuWeather, explained, “A watch is issued when conditions are favorable, for example, either for a severe thunderstorm or tornadoes. It doesn’t mean severe weather is imminent.” He further emphasized that the criteria for issuing watches can vary based on the evolving synoptic situation.
On the other hand, warnings are disseminated by local offices of the National Weather Service (NWS) based on specific criteria and reports received by the agency. For instance, in the case of a severe thunderstorm warning, criteria may include hail exceeding 1 inch in diameter and wind speeds surpassing 55 mph.
Kottlowski clarified, “Lightning is not a criteria for a severe thunderstorm warning. Heavy rain is not either.” Meteorologists monitoring weather conditions via radar pinpoint areas with potential for high-impact damage when issuing warnings.
