Tornado Watch Issued for the Midwest. Are You Ready?

The time to be weather aware and weather ready is *now* as a tornado watch has been issued for parts of the Upper Midwest.

The tornado watch is in effect for areas colored in yellow along the Minnesota and Wisconsin border until 11 p.m. local time Wednesday, October 3rd. The tornado watch is also in effect for the northern half of Wisconsin and parts of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Related Story: Severe Storms Likely Across The Upper Midwest Wednesday

Question is, are you weather ready and/or weather aware?

First things first, we’ll discuss terminology. The difference between a severe (or tornado) watch versus warning is listed above. This applies for all kinds of weather alerts, from tornadoes to floods. The key message is for you to listen/watch out for the warnings!

New Weather Model May Increase Tornado Warning Lead Times

Now, let’s talk estimated timing so that you’re even more ready.

It’s just the start. Related Story: The Plains and Midwest in Store for a Soggy Week

Finally, what do we do if a tornado warning is issued for our location?

Well, you’ll probably first hear the sound that you did earlier today on your cell phone. Which one was that? It was the nationally-dispersed Emergency Alert System notification that went out to all of the public earlier today, as a test. It was loud, but it’s the same noise that sounds when a tornado warning is issued for your location…unless you purposely turn that alert off in your device.

[Mock Scenario] Now we know a warning has been issued for our location. Next, we need go into the lowest, most-interior room of a securely-built structure and wait for the storm to pass. We’ve labeled these spots in red below:

Continue to stay with WeatherNation for additional updates regarding this ongoing weather story.

For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Steve Glazier