Question

The National Weather Service issues a tornado watch when __________and tornado

warning when __________.
(a) conditions are favorable for tornado formation; a tornado is believed to be present in
a warning area
(b) a tornado is believed to be present in a warning area; conditions are favorable for
tornado formation
(c) emergency management personnel should warn the public to take cover
immediately; emergency management personnel should abandon the warning effort
and take cover themselves.
(d) debris from a tornado is expected to impact an area; the debris is actually observed
and is an obstruction to traffic

Answer 1

Tornadoes form from severe thunderstorms and are indicated by rotating motion in the atmosphere. Knowing the difference between a watch and a warning is vital for safety.

Step-by-step explanation:

The National Weather Service issues a tornado watch when conditions are favorable for tornado formation and a tornado warning when a tornado is believed to be present in a warning area. This distinction is crucial for public safety, as a watch means that tornado conditions are possible in the near future, and individuals should be prepared, while a warning indicates that a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar, and immediate action to find safe shelter is critical.

Tornadoes are a violent weather phenomenon, characterized by their narrow, spinning funnel-like shape descending from thunderstorms, and can produce winds up to 500 km/h. They are caused by severe thunderstorms, often supercells, with a rotating column of air driven by differences in wind speeds and atmospheric pressure. Effective tornado prediction relies on monitoring these conditions, including rotational motion in the atmosphere which signifies a heightened risk.

Understanding the differences between a tornado watch and warning, as well as the mechanisms of tornado formation, help communities and individuals take appropriate actions to mitigate the risks associated with these destructive events.