Tornado Watches and Warnings in Texas
Dec. 13, 2022
Updated Apr. 4, 2025 at 6:36 p.m. CDT
Update:
6:35 a.m. April 4, 2025: Updated ahead with a new forecast.
Tornado Watches Issued in Texas
The National Weather Service issued several tornado watches in Texas on Friday.
Parts of north central Texas are under a tornado watch until 9 p.m. Friday, according to the agency. The watch warns about possible tornadoes, scattered hail that could be as big as tennis balls, and gusts of up to 70 miles per hour.
Understanding Tornado Watches and Warnings
When severe weather moves through North Texas, bringing with it the possibility of tornadoes, the weather service can issue a tornado watch or a tornado warning.
There’s a distinct difference between the two advisories: while a tornado watch warns of conditions that are favorable for the formation of a tornado, a warning is a much more urgent advisory that requires people living in the affected area to seek immediate shelter.
Preparation and Safety Measures
If a tornado watch is issued for your area, you should begin to prepare for the possibility of a tornado. That includes charging important devices and identifying a spot in your home where you can take shelter if the watch is upgraded.
Tornado watches can be expansive, covering many counties and even crossing state borders, according to the weather service. Warnings, which cover much smaller areas, indicate a tornado has been spotted by radar and involve an immediate threat to lives or property.
The weather service recommends those under watches to stay updated on weather conditions via local news or a NOAA weather radio.
Safety Protocols During a Tornado Warning
If you’re at home, identify a safe place without windows, such as a basement, bathroom or other interior room. If you’re at work or school during a warning, avoid large rooms such as gymnasiums and cafeterias and follow whichever protocols are set in place by your school or employer.
If a warning is issued while you are outside, get inside a strong, sturdy building immediately. Sheds and storage facilities are not strong enough to withstand a possible tornado, and neither are tents or mobile homes.
Being in a vehicle during a tornado warning can also be dangerous. The weather service recommends drivers find the nearest shelter as soon as possible. If you can’t find one, either hunker down in your car, covering your head, or abandon your vehicle entirely and find a low-lying ditch to take cover.
Related Resources
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Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning is crucial for staying safe during severe weather events. By knowing what to expect and taking necessary precautions, individuals can minimize their risk of injury or property damage. It is essential to stay informed and follow the instructions of local authorities to ensure a safe and timely response to tornado watches and warnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?
A: A tornado watch is issued when conditions are favorable for the formation of a tornado, while a tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been spotted by radar and poses an immediate threat to lives or property.
Q: What should I do during a tornado watch?
A: During a tornado watch, you should begin to prepare for the possibility of a tornado by charging important devices, identifying a safe place to take shelter, and staying updated on weather conditions via local news or a NOAA weather radio.
Q: What should I do during a tornado warning?
A: During a tornado warning, you should seek immediate shelter in a safe place without windows, such as a basement, bathroom, or other interior room. If you are outside, get inside a strong, sturdy building immediately, and if you are in a vehicle, find the nearest shelter or take cover in a low-lying ditch.
