A tornado can bring terrible destruction to anything in its path with an average travel speed of 35 MPH and a sporadic travel path; therefore, it is important that you know what to look for before it strikes. You should first familiarize yourself with terms that will help you identify a tornado hazard. The two most important ones are tornado watch and tornado warning. A tornado watch means that tornadoes are possible; therefore, you should remain alert for approaching storms by tuning in to your local weather channel. A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar; therefore, you should take shelter.
You should also be aware of what is happening outside your home. It is important to be on the lookout for the following warning signs:
Green Sky
A dark, often greenish sky is one of the first signs that a tornado might be on its way.Hail
Before a tornado appears, large hail might start falling from the sky. This might even happen on a warm day.Large Cloud of Debris
An approaching cloud of debris means a tornado is on its way and because of its speed, there's might be little time to get to a safe place.Still and Quiet
Right before a tornado, the air may go suddenly still and quiet. This is typically known as the calm before the storm.Tornado Sirens
If you hear tornado sirens go off, it's a definite sign that a tornado is approaching and that you should take cover immediately.