Tornado Safety and Preparedness

A tornado warning will tell you specifically what prompted it to be issued. Many are issued based on radar showing rotation, indicating a tornado is possible. Others can be confirmed as in progress by debris detected on radar or visually by a spotter.

March 5, 2026

Updated: March 5, 2026, 3:41 pm ESTPublished: March 5, 2026, 3:41 pm EST

What Every Type Of Tornado Warning Really Means

When a tornado warning is issued you should always take it seriously and seek shelter, but there are multiple types to know about that can help you understand more about this urgent situation.

You've found an old version of this article. For our latest explainer on tornado warnings, click here.

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