[Eileenrush]

Is anyone else confused with the words used for warning us about a Tornado. Every time we get a notice of a Tornado I have to think ... does the “watch” mean there is one or does the “warning” mean there is one? Which one means the conditions are right for one. The words certainly do not properly describe what we need to know. Why not just say it like it is! Conditions “Possible” for tornado or tornado “sighting”. I know, we should be so lucky to have so little to worry about!

[Bogie Shooter]

Tornado watches are issued for broad areas where conditions exist for the development of twisters, while tornado warnings are issued for highly localized areas where a tornado is imminent or has been detected on radar. Watches, commonly issued a few hours before a storm could hit, are meant to alert the public of a developing threat for tornadoes and indicate the need to remain vigilant. Warnings, often issued minutes before a tornado hits, are urgent calls to seek shelter immediately.


A tornado warning (SAME code: TOR) is an alert issued by national weather forecasting agencies to warn the public that severe thunderstorms with tornadoes are imminent or occurring. It can be issued after a tornado, funnel cloud and rotation in the clouds has been spotted by the public, storm chasers, emergency management or law enforcement.

When this happens, the tornado sirens may sound in that area if any sirens are present, informing people that a tornado has been sighted or may be forming nearby. (Because sirens are generally not heard indoors, residents should not completely depend on them.) The issuance of a tornado warning indicates that residents should take immediate safety precautions.

It is a higher level of alert than a tornado watch, but (in the United States) it can be surpassed by an even higher alert known as a tornado emergency or particularly dangerous situation warning. Tornado watches do not need to be issued prior nor concurrent to the issuance of a tornado warning.

[bilcon]

BECAUSE WEATHERMEN HAVE BECOME DRAMA QUEENS OR KINGS. EVERYTHING THEY SAY IS TO CONFUSE YOU. "A ROTATION IS POSSIBLE IN YOUR AREA." A cyclone is possible. We used to call them hurricanes, but now we use the terms from Asia and the Pacific. It sounds more dangerous. Get used to hearing tornado watch in area, especially during the Summer. Hope we never get another one in The Villages. The 2007 tornado was enough.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Eileenrush

Is anyone else confused with the words used for warning us about a Tornado. Every time we get a notice of a Tornado I have to think ... does the “watch” mean there is one or does the “warning” mean there is one? Which one means the conditions are right for one. The words certainly do not properly describe what we need to know. Why not just say it like it is! Conditions “Possible” for tornado or tornado “sighting”. I know, we should be so lucky to have so little to worry about!

I don’t know what channel you was watching, but weatherman explained it on channel I was watching, plus I looked at radar and it wasn’t close or coming at us. They project the track of the rotation, that’s what need to be concerned with when rotation develops. If track coming towards you be very concerned then.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by bilcon

BECAUSE WEATHERMEN HAVE BECOME DRAMA QUEENS OR KINGS. EVERYTHING THEY SAY IS TO CONFUSE YOU. "A ROTATION IS POSSIBLE IN YOUR AREA." A cyclone is possible. We used to call them hurricanes, but now we use the terms from Asia and the Pacific. It sounds more dangerous. Get used to hearing tornado watch in area, especially during the Summer. Hope we never get another one in The Villages. The 2007 tornado was enough.

The weathermen don’t know where you live or which side is the storm you’re on. So there going to say in the area. There no hurricane’s in Midwest, there you better be weather savvy when you’re cyclone come by and sucks up asphalt off highway or leaves nothing but concrete slab of house.

[44Apple]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

I don’t know what channel you was watching, but weatherman explained it on channel I was watching, plus I looked at radar and it wasn’t close or coming at us. They project the track of the rotation, that’s what need to be concerned with when rotation develops. If track coming towards you be very concerned then.

I think she was referring to alerts received on her phone. I get the same.

[Two Bills]

Originally Posted by bilcon

BECAUSE WEATHERMEN HAVE BECOME DRAMA QUEENS OR KINGS. EVERYTHING THEY SAY IS TO CONFUSE YOU. "A ROTATION IS POSSIBLE IN YOUR AREA." A cyclone is possible. We used to call them hurricanes, but now we use the terms from Asia and the Pacific. It sounds more dangerous. Get used to hearing tornado watch in area, especially during the Summer. Hope we never get another one in The Villages. The 2007 tornado was enough.

.......and they love to give wind speeds in KM per hour, as it sounds a lot stronger!!

[MandoMan]

So where is the best place in The Villages to Watch a Tornado? The Morse Blvd. bridge over Lake Sumter? Should I bring a lawn chair, or just sit in my golf cart? Watching a tornado sounds more relaxing than chasing one.

[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by Eileenrush

Is anyone else confused with the words used for warning us about a Tornado. Every time we get a notice of a Tornado I have to think ... does the “watch” mean there is one or does the “warning” mean there is one? Which one means the conditions are right for one. The words certainly do not properly describe what we need to know. Why not just say it like it is! Conditions “Possible” for tornado or tornado “sighting”. I know, we should be so lucky to have so little to worry about!

Watch means watch out, it might come
Warning means you are getting warned. Its coming
Easy peasy

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Choro&Swing

So where is the best place in The Villages to Watch a Tornado? The Morse Blvd. bridge over Lake Sumter? Should I bring a lawn chair, or just sit in my golf cart? Watching a tornado sounds more relaxing than chasing one.

top of one of the cell towers

[JohnN]

Originally Posted by Girlcopper

Watch means watch out, it might come
Warning means you are getting warned. Its coming
Easy peasy

that's the right answer

[HRDave]

Watch = Watch Out For Tornado
Warning = Warning!! Tornado Coming!!
That simple.

[TVGB32162]

Originally Posted by HRDave

Watch = Watch Out For Tornado
Warning = Warning!! Tornado Coming!!
That simple.

I grew up in heavy tornado area, so I know the terms well, but I can see how it confuses people. If a dog growls, it is giving a warning. When you say "Watch out!" something bad is about to happen immediately. It would be helpful to say things like Possible Tornado and Active Tornado or something else with no ambiguity.

[stebooo]

I don't think either one means for sure. They are very unpredictable hence warning or watch. Hard to watch at night.

[Nucky]

How about evacuating when you live in a Manufactured Home? There is a Tornado Coming, How do you evacuate 3500 plus homes in the Hysterical Section of the Villages plus all the other Manufactured Homes in the surrounding area when we are facing the Covid situation? Hmmm! Very interesting.

The OP'S question is very interesting. It is very stressful when you are new to the area. We went thru the same thing as the OP.

We have come to realize over the last several years that watching and speaking to Florida Natives is helpful. They have a feeling for when to evacuate during all weather events. I take all warnings seriously but don't stress them like I did when we were new. I hope I've helped you. I'm just getting back into the swing of things and realize my post may be a little bit confusing. That means I'm back to normal. LOL.