If you live near the central part of the United States of America or any where in the world where there is significant weather occurences, you know too well the Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and the Tornado Warnings. Watches just mean watch for severe thunderstorms or tornadoes; but warnings mean that a SkyWarn storm chaser has spotted a tornado near your location. Warnings are very serious and you must act quickly and get into safety.

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings

A severe thunderstorm contains large hail, strong, gusty winds, heavy rainfall, and tornadoes. Since I currently reside in Arlington, Texas (between Dallas, Fort Worth), I know all too well of severe thunderstorms. Our season for these thunderstorms is usually around May/April for the big, bad stuff. Growing up, I hated weather and always got scared when I heard the sirens. Now, I love weather and love to study the amazing occurences of weather. Now to Severe Thunderstorm Warnings. Severe Thunderstom Watches are posted first. If you watch The Weather Channel, they would have your region surrounded by a yellow rhombus shape, meaning Severe Thunderstorm Watch. If your county is shaded in a yellow color, then there is a Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for your county. Also, if you think there is a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for your area but can't tell, there should be a yellow bar on the bottom of the television screen warning you of the coming danger.

Tornadoes do not always occur in severe thunderstorms, but they are very possible. Severe thunderstorms have everything needed to create a great tornado. If there is a Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for your area, turn on the TV or listen to the radio to see where the storm is located and where it is headed. If the storm is headed your way, you need to make sure you keep the TV on and pay attention to any changes. A Tornado Warning just might be issued. Remember, safety is the most important thing.

Tornado Warnings

A Tornado Warning means that a professial SkyWarn storm chaser has spotted a funnel cloud or a tornado very close to your location. Again, if you watch the Weather Channel, tornado watches are posted in a red shaped rhombus. Tornado warnings for your country will be shaded with a red color. And again, a red bar at the bottom of the screen will be updating you on the spotted tornado, where it is currently, and when it is expected to be near you.

Tornadoes are very powerful weather occurences. Even though these destructive monsters and very fun to watch, they are very dangerous at the same time. If there is ever a Tornado Warning issued for your area, which I also have a lot of experience in, take cover immediately. Listen to your radio or watch the TV for more information. Alert all other people you know so that they too can be informed about the danger headed their way.

If you live in the Fort Worth or Arlington area (Tarrant County), here is a great website you can go to for weather information on that day's weather: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?w0=t&w3=sfcwind&w4=sky&w5=pop&w6=rh&w8=rain&AheadHour=0&Submit=Submit&FcstType=graphical&textField1=32.69450&textField2=-97.12750&site=all&menu=1

If you live anywhere in the US, you can always check your local weather on Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado Watches/Warnings here: http://www.weather.com/

Thanks for reading my hub! I hope you enjoyed it.

--John

http://johnburgdorf.webs.com/