Watches, Warnings & Forecasting Tornadoes

Forecasting exactly when and where tornadoes will form is impossible right now. Part of the reason is because we still aren't sure exactly what causes a tornado to form (Click here for more on how tornadoes form). But we do know what ingredients go into making a tornado. And when we see those ingredients coming together, we start watching for possible severe weather and tornadoes.

Tornado Watch: Conditions are favorable for developing a tornado, hail 3/4" in diameter greater (about Penny sized hail) and/or straight line winds of 58 mph or greater.

I like to think of a watch as we're pulling out the binoculars and we're on the watch for a possible tornado.

In my position as a TV meteorologist, I rely on the National Weather Service (NWS) and storm spotters to tell me where a tornado has formed or where a rotating storm that could spawn a tornado is located. When a tornado has been spotted or a possible tornado is indicated on Doppler radar, a tornado warning is issued.

Tornado Warning: A tornado is on the ground and has been reported by a trained spotter.

Doppler Indicated Tornado Warning: Although a tornado has not been spotted, strong rotation indicated on Doppler radar means a tornado has formed or might form. Even if no tornado forms, this type of warning can save lives because when a tornado has formed or will form, it gives you precious minutes to get yourself and your family to safety.

When a tornado warning is issued, it is my job as a TV meteorologist to break into programming and scroll important tornado information at the bottom of the screen. Furthermore, I track the tornadic storm on radar. It depends on the TV station's policy, but many stations will break into programming to show the track the storm until it is no longer a threat.

Perhaps in the future when HDTV becomes more widespread there will be a way to avoid breaking into TV programming and have another channel dedicated to storm coverage.

Since Tornadoes can form and disappear so quickly, local severe weather coverage is a very intense and pressure filled situation. But most people realize the importance of TV and radio storm coverage. In 2004 the state of Iowa had a record 120 tornadoes (compared to about 45 on average in a year) and yet there were no fatalities. Part of the reason so many tornadoes were reported is due to a lot more weak tornadoes being reported because the interest in storm spotting has grown recently. However, there were no fatalities and I'd like to think that it is also because people take tornado threats seriously and appreciate the TV and radio coverage.

My point is that your local TV meteorologist should not be replaced by a chimpanzee. Because although cute and fascinatingly human-like, a chimpanzee can't make educated judgments that may help save lives.

Have you hugged your meteorologist today?

Can someone help me down from this soapbox?