Warnings
Watches vs Warnings
Watches and warnings are commonly mixed up and confused and most be discerned. The Storm Prediciton Center in Norman, OK will issue a
Local National Weather Service offices will issue warnings meaning that the threat is either currently occuring or a signature on Doppler
radar has been noted telling the forecaster the threat may be occuring. Many times "Doppler indicated" warnings are issued as reports do
not come in for every event. Like watches, tornado and severe thunderstorms warnings are issued and contain the same threats as mentioned
above. The National Weather Service is in direct contact with individuals through weather radios that are connected directly to the
National Weather Service feed.
Storm Emergency Sirens
Emergency sirens are meant mainly for motorists in the warned area to be aware of the threat. Usually storm sirens are fired
for tornado warnings, but local emergency management may fire the sirens if they feel the threat is great enough that motorists
will have their lives threatened. When the National Weather Service issues a warning, the information is sent to emergency managers
who will then activate the sirens in the area. If you hear a storm siren, you should turn on the local news to confirm what the threat is
and if an action should be taken. If you are in your car, search radio stations as they should broadcast warning information.
Keep in mind, most cities will test their sirens on a regular basis, typicall in the morning. Check to see when your specific city tests
their sirens so no confusion arises.
Television Stations
Local news stations always have a meteorologist in charge who, typically, has direct access to the National Weather Service warning data. In most cases, if a tornado warning is issue the station will cut into local programming and let the meteorologist on duty explain the threat in detail. This description is simplified and much easier to understand compared to the National Weather Service warning text and is the preffered method of getting warning information. They will stay on air while any tornado warning is in their viewing area. If only severe thunderstorm warnings are present, occasional cutins in programming will occur, especially if new warnings come in.
Local Emergency Management
Local emergency managers are hired by the city to alert the public of any kind of threat to life is upcoming in the area. In tornado alley, severe weather is the main threat these managers worry about. Like television meteorologist, local emergency managers have direct access and contact with the National Weather Service. They will be one of the first to know if a warning is about to issued so that they can fire the sirens immediately. It has been observed that emergency managers will fire the sirens without National Weather Service warnings because of severe weather. These warnings should still be taken seriously as a report directly to the emergency managers may have been given.