It is important to understand the terms that you will hear during times of severe weather. The National Weather Service will issue a tornado WATCH when conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms which could produce tornadoes. When a watch is issued for your area, continue with your activities but remain alert for signs of approaching storms (see Environmental Clues). Continue to listen for weather forecasts and statements from your local National Weather Service office, and be prepared to take quick action if necessary.

When a developing tornado has been detected by weather radar or one has been reported by trained storm spotters, you local National Weather Service office will issue a tornado WARNING. A tornado warning is an urgent message to people in the affected counties or parishes that a tornado is immediately imminent. When a tornado warning is issued for your area, quick and immediate action is NECESSARY.

Tornadoes sometimes develop in areas where a Severe Thunderstorm Watch or Warning is in effect. Tornadoes can also develop with little or no advance notice.

'Tornadoes: Nature's Most Violent Storms' was developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/National Weather Service (NWS) in cooperation with the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It is designed to assist in heightening public awareness and understanding the dangers associated with tornadoes. The package provides an introduction to tornadoes and their impact, discusses tornado development and occurrence, and describes safety information for homes, schools, places of work, and outdoors. In addition, basic environmental clues are presented.

Individual use of the pictures within these presentation must have prior approval from the credited source.