Reminder
Tomorrow, test Tornado Watches and Tornado Warnings will be issued. At 10AM, the Storm Prediction Center will issue a test Tornado Watch. Each forecasting office will send a watch notification message to all of there assigned counties. This test watch will be alerted through NOAA Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System. At 10:10AM, the Sioux Falls forecast office will issue test Tornado Warnings for there counties, followed by the Des Moines and Quad Cities forecast offices at 10:15AM, and finally at 10:30AM with the La Crosse office. WFO Omaha will not be participating. At 10:30AM to 10:35AM, the NWS will issue a Severe Weather Statement indicating that they are terminating the warnings.
Tornadoes are one of mother nature’s most deadliest storms. Last year, 500+ people died because of them. That number has actually been increasing, when it should be decreasing with knowledge of storms.
Tornadoes is a rapidly-rotating funnel that makes contact with the ground. However, the tornado does not need to appear to be causing damage if it does not cause damage. In fact, last year, the south had a tornado that did not officially touch the ground, but it made catastrophic damage.
Tornadoes have many different sizes and shapes, and usually produce less wind than 100 mph. However, some tornadoes do have the capability of becoming large and destructive, which is why you should always take shelter for any type of tornado. Some tornadoes down and back up in and instant, some are short lived, and some can stay down on the ground for an hour.
With these facts, they should make you want to be prepared for times like this. We have prepared a page that has many more facts and safety tips on it. You can find it by clicking here.
TORNADO WATCH: A tornado watch is issued by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma if they feel that Severe Weather is possible. Watches are usually issued 2-8 hours in advance, depending on how certain they are about the weather. If this is the case, be prepared to move to shelter if a warning is issued.
TORNADO WARNING: A tornado warning is issued by your local NWS office if: a. A tornado is being detected by radar or b. A tornado has been spotted. Sometimes it may be both. If this is the case, take shelter immediately!
TORNADO EMERGENCY: A Tornado Emergency (Tornado Warning) is not a new warning. This is a type of warning that is rare and only used if spotters indicate the tornado and have a history of being strong and violent. This type of warning was issued with the Tuscaloosa, Alabama tornadoes.