Often most active during the month of May, 70% of U.S. tornadoes taking place from March to June. So, how should Oklahomans respond to tornado watches and warnings here in Tornado Alley?
“The National Weather Service issues tornado watches and warnings,” says Rick Smith, the warning coordinator meteorologist for the National Weather Service in the Norman Forecast Office. “A watch means conditions are coming together that could lead to severe storms with large hail and damaging winds, and potentially tornadoes. Pay attention to weather conditions. Know what you’ll do if you’re in a warning later.”
Using satellite images, area weather observations, radar data and computer model forecasts, meteorologists issue a watch when they see signs that severe storms and tornadoes could develop in the next few hours.
A tornado warning is the most urgent message issued, meaning a tornado is either about to happen or is already happening.
“If you’re in the warning, get to a safe place immediately,” says Smith. “You may only have seconds to protect yourself. On average, tornado warnings provide you with about 13 minutes before the tornado actually develops.”
Smith says tornado warnings are based on meteorologists analyzing radar data, which provides “three-dimensional pictures of what’s happening in a storm, including rotation and winds coming together above the ground and the weather environment the storm is in. We also rely heavily on reports from people who can tell us what’s actually happening under the storm.”
But tornadoes are more dangerous after dark, or when shrouded by clouds or heavy rain, making warnings more difficult to issue. You won’t be able to see the tornado, so watching for it puts you in danger.
In some cases, it’s impossible to issue a warning before a tornado develops.
“That’s why making sure you’re ready before the storms arrive is so important,” says Smith.
While tempting, it’s dangerous to go outside to personally verify a tornado, because some tornadoes are often invisible and move so fast that you may not have time to shelter.
Another mistake is “relying too much on sirens,” says Smith. “Outdoor warning sirens are for those who are outdoors. They are not intended to be heard inside a house or vehicle, or to wake you up. Have multiple sources of warning information that are not sirens.”
Many people believe a river, hill, valley, mountain or downtown area protects them from tornadoes, but that isn’t the case.
“There is no place in Oklahoma that is more or less susceptible to a tornado,” says Smith, “and we all need to be prepared.”
Tornado Safety
Wherever you live, tornado safety is pretty much the same: Protect yourself from flying and falling debris, which cause fatalities and injuries. Get in, down and covered up. An underground shelter, and above-ground safe rooms that withstand tornadoes, are your best options. In sturdy buildings, get as far inside as possible on the lowest floor possible.
“Put as many walls between you and the outside,” says Smith. “Stay away from outside walls, doors and windows. Mobile homes, vehicles and outside are the most dangerous places. If you live in an apartment or mobile home, know your safety plan long before the storms come, and be sure you can get to a safe shelter before the warning is issued.”
