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What is a Tornado Watch?

Amy Pollick
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Updated: Jun 04, 2024
Views: 12,323
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People moving into areas where tornadoes are common may hear the term "tornado watch" without knowing exactly what it means. A tornado watch means that weather conditions in and around the watch area are going to deteriorate and tornado activity is possible. The Storms Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma issues tornado watches. The center analyzes conditions in storm-prone areas and determines whether tornado activity is likely. A watch is then issued.

A tornado watch is defined in a rectangular area, sometimes covering hundreds of square miles. The tornado watch is usually of several hours' duration and is issued some time before severe weather is expected in the area. The advance issuance is designed to warn people that bad weather is approaching and give them time to review safety precautions and take action to keep themselves safe.

A tornado watch is not the same kind of advisory as a tornado warning. A warning is issued by the local National Weather Service office and means that a funnel cloud has either been sighted by a trained spotter or is indicated on radar. Tornado warnings are issued for specific areas of one county at a time. During a tornado warning, the emergency management agency of the county sounds tornado sirens in the affected areas.

Even if the sun is shining when a tornado watch is issued, a person should take the advisory very seriously. A tornado warning may never be issued, but it's a good bet that severe thunderstorms will move through the area, and these carry high winds, cloud-to-ground lightning and sometimes hail. Straight-line winds are also a risk with severe thunderstorms.

Those who live in tornado-prone areas usually have NOAA weather radios that sound an alarm when their county goes under a tornado watch or warning. These are especially important at night, since sirens may not be audible over high winds, but the alarm is sufficiently loud to wake even a sound sleeper. A tornado watch should always mandate action, even if it is just to monitor weather conditions. Doing so may save a life.

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Amy Pollick
By Amy Pollick
Amy Pollick, a talented content writer and editor, brings her diverse writing background to her work at All Things Nature. With experience in various roles and numerous articles under her belt, she crafts compelling content that informs and engages readers across various platforms on topics of all levels of complexity.
Discussion Comments
By amypollick — On Jan 31, 2012

@CarrotIsland: While they, thankfully, did not cause as many deaths as the 1925 tornadoes, the storms that hit Alabama on April 27, 2011 were the same kind of severe, long-track tornadoes that stayed on the ground for several hours and over 100 miles, with wind speeds estimated at 218 mph. Two EF-5 tornadoes formed that day, with four EF-4 storms, seven EF-2 tornadoes, 22 EF-1 storms and five EF-0 tornadoes, for a total of 40 storm tracks, and 62 tornadoes statewide. The Huntsville National Weather Service site has a wealth of information about the storms that day. They issued over 90 tornado warnings in their coverage area in about a 14-hour period. We were without power for four days and are just thankful to be here! We take tornado watches seriously around here!

By CarrotIsland — On Nov 13, 2010

@stormyknight: What made this tornado so tragic is that there was no warning systems back then. Also, in those days, the US Weather Bureau was not allowed to use the word “tornado” because they didn’t want to cause a panic. The people didn’t even realize a tornado was coming until it was right in their face.

By medicchristy — On Nov 13, 2010

@stormyknight: The worst tornado ever recorded was on March 18th, 1925. It is known as the Great Tri-State Tornado. It spun across Missouri, Indiana, and Illinois after 3 ½ hours of destruction. The tornado traveled at a speed of greater than 60 mph with wind speeds, incredibly, between 261 and 318 mph. This tornado was rated an F5.

During this tragic weather event, 652 deaths were reported with an additional 2000+ people injured. The tornado traveled 219 miles which is the longest distance recorded in history. 15,000 homes were destroyed. Property damage was estimated at $16.5 million dollars, which would be around $2 billion today.

By StormyKnight — On Nov 13, 2010

What was the worst tornado that has hit the U.S.?

By anon25770 — On Feb 03, 2009

How do you tornado watch?

Amy Pollick
Amy Pollick
Amy Pollick, a talented content writer and editor, brings her diverse writing background to her work at All Things...
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