A tornado event is a tornado-producing storm or period of tornado activity. Tornadoes are hard to predict at an exact time and place, so the key distinction is between conditions that make tornadoes possible and an official warning that means it is time to take shelter.
What is a tornado?
NOAA defines a tornado as a narrow, violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm to the ground. Tornadoes can cause severe damage, but not every rotating storm produces one.
For U.S. context, NOAA reported an approximate average of 1,200 tornadoes per year and about 60 deaths per year on a page published in 2011. Those are historical averages, not current-year counts. The Storm Prediction Center reported 1,796 confirmed U.S. tornadoes in 2024, its second-highest annual total since 1950, behind 2004. The SPC attributed the unusually active year to an active April and May, tropical systems, and an above-average late-December season. SPC annual tornado summaries distinguish confirmed tornadoes from preliminary local storm reports.
Where do tornadoes come from?
Tornadoes come from thunderstorms. Most form from supercells—rotating thunderstorms with persistent updrafts. Wind shear, a change in wind direction or speed with height, can help create a rotating updraft in a supercell. Other tornadoes, including landspouts and waterspouts, form in different conditions, and scientists are still working to understand how tornadoes develop.
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Because exact timing and location cannot be predicted, forecasts identify favorable conditions and track storms as they develop. A forecast of favorable conditions does not mean a tornado is already occurring; an official warning is the signal to act on an immediate threat.
What is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?
| Alert | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Tornado watch | Tornadoes are possible in the watch area. A watch does not mean a tornado is already on the ground. | Stay alert, monitor official forecasts and alerts, and be ready to move to shelter. |
| Tornado warning | A tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. Take cover. | Go to a safe shelter immediately and follow local official instructions. |
The NOAA Storm Prediction Center issues tornado watches; local National Weather Service offices issue warnings. NOAA’s 2011 Tornadoes 101 page summarizes the distinction: “A Tornado Watch means tornadoes are possible in your area.” It also says: “A Tornado Warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar — time to take cover!” NOAA: Tornadoes 101.
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What should I do during a tornado warning?
- Go to shelter immediately. Use a basement if available. Otherwise, get to a small interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows.
- Protect yourself from debris. Cover your head and body, and follow local emergency instructions.
- If you are in a mobile home, leave it for sturdier shelter. Do not shelter under an overpass, and do not open windows.
- Keep receiving official updates. Use phone alerts, local broadcast media, or a NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards device. A radio is one possible alert source, not a guarantee that you will receive every warning.
Before severe weather, identify a safe place and a way to receive alerts. NOAA recommends monitoring official forecasts and warnings and following local directions. See National Weather Service tornado safety guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How are tornadoes rated?
The Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale rates tornadoes from EF0 through EF5 using damage indicators and estimated wind speeds. The rating is based on damage surveys; it does not mean that wind instruments directly measured every tornado. NOAA’s preparedness publication lists these estimated three-second gust ranges:
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| Rating | Estimated three-second gust range |
|---|---|
| EF0 | 65–85 mph |
| EF1 | 86–110 mph |
| EF2 | 111–135 mph |
| EF3 | 136–165 mph |
| EF4 | 166–200 mph |
| EF5 | Over 200 mph |
These ranges describe the EF scale’s estimated gust categories, not a direct reading of every tornado’s winds. NOAA/National Weather Service Enhanced Fujita Scale publication.
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