The Five Early Warning Signs of a Tornado

Prism Specialties

May 7th, 2024

How to Spot Signs of a Tornado Each spring and summer, heartbreaking footage of tornado damage reminds millions of Americans just how unpredictable—and violent—nature can be. Tornadoes appear in moments, with little warning or time to adequately protect property from high winds, swirling debris, and the painful aftereffects of life in a disaster zone. Knowing […]

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How to Spot Signs of a Tornado

Each spring and summer, heartbreaking footage of tornado damage reminds millions of Americans just how unpredictable—and violent—nature can be. Tornadoes appear in moments, with little warning or time to adequately protect property from high winds, swirling debris, and the painful aftereffects of life in a disaster zone.

Knowing the most common tornado signs gives individuals and families precious seconds to seek shelter before storms strike.

A Perfect Storm: Ideal Conditions for Tornado Formation

It’s important to note that even the most advanced tornado warning systems provide only 10-15 minutes of lead time. With such little notice, individuals gain precious time with an even precursory understanding of tornado formation and how to tell if a tornado is coming.

Understanding how tornadoes form provides valuable insight into how to identify the early signs of a tornado and anticipate an emergency.

All thunderstorms are capable of producing a tornado. But a supercell is a specific type of storm that’s the most common culprit. Supercells are severe, intense thunderstorms that produce a wind pattern called a mesocyclone. This phenomenon pulls warm, moist air from near the ground up through the center of the storm cell. In many cases, a sudden change in wind speed or direction accelerates this updraft and alters the rotation direction, forming a tornado.

Related: Lightning Safety Tips

What Are the Signs of a Tornado?

Tornadoes produce five characteristic weather patterns worth knowing. Not all tornadoes exhibit all five signs; rest assured, spotting even one of these indicators is enough to seek shelter and get information from a trusted weather source in the area:

Dark sky – Particularly large storms may appear unusually dark or eerie yellow or green colors. This is caused by the sheer size of the storm, which blocks and distorts sunlight. The sky color before a tornado strikes is one of the more reliable signs of an oncoming storm.
Heavy rain and hail – Storms that produce tornadoes are exceptionally powerful and produce stronger, heavier rain than most other thunderstorms. Drastic atmospheric temperature differences and swirling winds can also cause unusually large hailstones.
Audible cues – High winds from strong tornadoes often emit a low, loud sound that sounds like a freight train.
Sudden changes in wind direction – Tornadoes typically form on the trailing edge of a storm. Depending on the direction of the storm’s travel, individuals may notice the wind change direction or seemingly drop entirely in the moments before a tornado funnel forms.
Swirling debris – Not all tornado funnels reach, making it difficult to spot in swirling winds and rain. If you notice any sizeable debris flying or structural or property damage in areas within a storm, take shelter immediately.

Whenever weather conditions favor tornadoes, stay informed. Connect with the local National Weather Service station online or via radio and consider opting-in to emergency alerts on your cell phone.

What to Do During a Tornado or Tornado Watch

Every storm deserves a healthy dose of respect. One way to prepare is to understand the difference between a tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning.

Tornado Watch – Conditions are favorable for tornado formation, but no tornadoes are confirmed.
Tornado Warning – A tornado has been sighted or confirmed via radar.
Always err on the side of caution: seek shelter immediately and follow these tornado safety best practices.
The safest place to be during a tornado is underground. Seek shelter in a cellar, basement, or interior room away from windows.
Mobile homes are especially vulnerable to tornadoes. If possible, abandon mobile homes for more secure buildings nearby. If no alternatives are available, the safest place is usually the bathroom.
Drivers should seek a nearby building; if there is no place to go, try to park under an overpass. Park to avoid flying debris, stay buckled up, and crouch below the windows or as low as possible.

Families living in high-risk tornado areas should create an emergency plan to ensure everyone knows where to meet and what to expect in the aftermath of a storm. Consider designating a secondary meeting place in case the family home is damaged. Knowing everyone is safe is the first step in getting back to normal.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Tornado Damage?

It depends. Most homeowners insurance policies cover wind and hail damage. Insurance policies vary widely by state and family, so read the policy in detail and consult the appropriate insurance professional to determine what’s included. It’s also important to point out that most policies will not cover flood damage from heavy tornado rains. Check with the responsible insurance agent to find out if any additional coverage is required.

Ready for Anything, and Everything After

Tornadoes are a harrowing reminder of nature’s power and human fragility. In the worst of scenarios, family, friends, and entire communities face weeks, months, or even years of recovery. Prism Specialties is honored to play a small but meaningful role on the road back to normal.

We help property owners, contractors, and insurance professionals with specialty restoration services that bring valued items back to their pre-loss condition.

We’re always here to help. Find the Prism Specialties location near you or call (888) 826-9429 to get started.