What is the difference between a tornado watch and a warning?
Tornado watches are less serious. A watch means that the conditions are favorable for the development of thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes.
Watch: Tornado watch in effect for coastal Virginia, northeast North Carolina Friday
The guidance for a watch is to be prepared and stay informed in case a warning is issued.
Warnings are much more serious. This means a thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado in that area is imminent.
The guidance for warnings is to take shelter in an interior room in your home or basement (though basements in our region are rare). But the key is to take action to protect yourself and your family.
More information from the National Weather Service on tornado watches and warnings is available here.
