Tornado Watch vs. Warning:
What's the Difference?
The National Weather Service issues both tornado watches and tornado warnings, but they mean very different things. Knowing the difference can save your life.
Tornado Watch
A tornado watch means atmospheric conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in your area. It does not mean a tornado has been seen or detected — it means the ingredients are in place (instability, wind shear, moisture) and you should be prepared to act.
Tornado watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman, Oklahoma and typically cover large areas — sometimes multiple states — for several hours at a time.
What to do during a tornado watch:
Stay informed
Make sure your phone notifications are on. Keep an eye on radar. Know where your shelter is.
Prepare
Charge your phone. Know your safe room. Bring pets inside. Have shoes nearby in case you need to move through debris.
Watch the sky
If you see a rotating wall cloud, large hail, or a greenish sky, take shelter immediately — don't wait for a warning.
Tornado Warning
A tornado warning means a tornado has been detected on radar or spotted by a trained storm spotter. This is an immediate threat to life and property. Take shelter now.
Tornado warnings are issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office and cover specific counties or portions of counties, usually for 30–60 minutes.
What to do during a tornado warning:
Take shelter immediately
Go to the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Interior room, away from windows. Bathroom, closet, or hallway on the ground floor.
If driving
Do not try to outrun a tornado. Pull over, get out, and lie flat in the nearest ditch or low area, covering your head. Never shelter under an overpass.
Stay sheltered
Wait for the warning to expire or for the NWS to issue an all-clear. Keep monitoring weather radio or your phone for updates.
Tornado Emergency
A tornado emergency is the highest level of tornado alert the NWS issues. It means a large, violent, confirmed tornado is heading toward a populated area with a serious threat to human life. These are rare and extremely dangerous.
If you hear "tornado emergency," treat it as the most urgent possible warning. You may have only minutes.
Quick Comparison
Watch = Be Prepared
Conditions are favorable. Tornadoes are possible. Stay alert, have a plan, keep your phone charged.
Warning = Take Action Now
A tornado has been detected or spotted. Move to shelter immediately. Protect your head and neck.
Emergency = Life-Threatening
A confirmed violent tornado is bearing down on a populated area. Seek the best available shelter immediately.
How to Get Tornado Alerts on Your Phone
StormCast checks the NWS alert feed every 30 seconds and pushes tornado warnings, watches, and emergencies directly to your Android phone — even when your screen is off. Alerts can bypass silent mode so you never sleep through a warning.
The app also shows active alert polygons on live radar so you can see exactly where the warning is and whether the storm is heading your way.
Download StormCast Free on Google Play