A tornado warning is a public warning issued by weather forecasting agencies to an area in the direct path of a tornado or a thunderstorm that is capable of producing a tornado. It means that either a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar, and there is imminent danger to life and property. The warning is issued by local National Weather Service meteorologists for a smaller area, typically encompassing a city or small county, that may be impacted by a tornado identified by a forecaster on radar or by a trained spotter/law enforcement who is watching the storm.

When a tornado warning is issued, it is important to take immediate action and move to the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows. If youre in a car or mobile home, find the closest substantial shelter you can get to. A tornado warning means there is immediate danger for the warned area and immediate surrounding locations from the severe thunderstorm producing (or likely to produce) a tornado, if not from the relatively narrow tornado itself. Persons in the path of a warned storm are urged to immediately seek shelter in a basement, cellar, safe room or a sturdy above-ground room in the center section of a home or building (such as a bathroom or closet) .

In contrast, a tornado watch is an alert to stay prepared and be ready to act. It means that tornadoes are possible and weather conditions "favor thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes." Tornado watches are usually issued at least an hour in advance of anticipated risky weather and up to eight hours before so people can make a plan to act in case a tornado is spotted and a warning is issued.