When the sky rotates.
A tornado watch means conditions are right; a warning means one has been spotted or indicated on radar. The US and Canada issue them through different agencies but on nearly identical criteria.
Watch vs Warning, plus PDS.
The NWS Storm Prediction Center issues watches for large regions hours ahead. Local NWS offices issue warnings for specific counties, usually with 5–30 minutes of lead time. A 'Particularly Dangerous Situation' tag means a strong, long-track tornado is expected.
Watch vs Warning, issued regionally.
Environment and Climate Change Canada issues tornado watches when conditions are favourable and warnings when a tornado has been reported or is imminent. Warnings are issued for named forecast regions rather than counties.
Active alerts right now.
Point-based lookup covers US zones only. Canadian users: browse alerts by hazard below.
One or more upstream feeds are temporarily unavailable. Check the source links below.
If an alert covers you.
- →Get to the lowest interior room — basement, bathroom, or closet — away from windows.
- →Mobile homes and vehicles offer no meaningful protection. Leave for a sturdy building.
- →Cover your head and neck. Most tornado injuries are from flying debris.
- →If caught outside with no shelter, lie flat in a low spot and cover your head.
- →Do not wait to see it. By the time a tornado is visible, you have seconds, not minutes.