Tornado watch vs. tornado warning
Watch = be prepared: the ingredients for tornadoes are in place. Warning = take action now: a tornado has been seen or radar indicates one, and it is heading your way.
| Tornado watch | Tornado warning | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop | A tornado is occurring or imminent |
| Issued by | NOAA's Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman, Oklahoma | Your local National Weather Service office |
| Area | Large — often tens of thousands of square miles, by county | Small — a polygon around the storm's path |
| Typical length | Several hours (often around 4–8) | Usually 30–60 minutes, updated as the storm moves |
| What to do | Review your plan, know where you'll shelter, keep alerts on | Go to shelter immediately — lowest floor, interior room, away from windows |
How warnings are triggered
Forecasters issue a tornado warning when a trained spotter, law enforcement or the public reports a tornado, or when Doppler radar shows strong rotation likely to produce one. Warnings based on radar alone say "radar indicated"; once a tornado is confirmed they say "observed". When radar detects a debris signature, warnings may note that the tornado is confirmed by radar.
Stronger wording to take seriously
- Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) watch — SPC expects multiple strong or violent tornadoes. Rare, and very serious.
- Considerable / destructive tags — warnings can carry impact tags for a damaging or long-lived tornado.
- Tornado emergency — the most urgent wording: a violent tornado is confirmed and heading into a populated area. Seek the best shelter available immediately.
Watches and warnings for other storms
The same pattern applies to severe thunderstorm watches and warnings (hail one inch or larger, or winds 58 mph or stronger) and to flash flood warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce tornadoes with little warning.
How TALON helps
TALON draws every active NWS warning polygon on the live map, alerts you when one covers your location, and — in TALON Pro — measures rotation in each radar scan so you can see which storm prompted the warning and where it's heading. TALON is not an official warning source: always act on NWS warnings and local officials.
Quick answers
Which is worse, a tornado watch or a tornado warning?
A tornado warning. It means a tornado is happening or about to happen in the warned area, and you should take shelter immediately. A watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes.
Who issues tornado watches?
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma issues tornado and severe thunderstorm watches for the United States.
Who issues tornado warnings?
Your local National Weather Service forecast office issues tornado warnings for its area.
How long does a tornado warning last?
Most tornado warnings last 30 to 60 minutes and are updated or extended as the storm moves.