Tornado watch vs tornado warning: What is the difference, what safety plan do you need

ATLANTA — Severe Weather Team 2 is dedicated to keeping your family safe safe before, during and after when severe weather strikes.

There are certain terms you will hear Severe Weather Team 2 use during the threat of severe weather.

Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Brad Nitz also stresses having a plan in place in case of a tornado threat.

Here is what to know.

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Tornado Watch vs Tornado Warning: What’s the difference?

A tornado watch means the conditions are favorable for a tornado to form. If a tornado watch is issued, it is your signal to be prepared and have your plan ready.

A tornado warning means a tornado has been spotted or indicated on the radar. If a tornado warning is issued, you need to take shelter immediately.

Where are the safest places to take cover during a tornado warning?

Move to an interior room on the lowest level of your home such as basement, closet or bathroom. Stay away from windows and exterior walls.

If you are in a mobile home or outside, get to the closest shelter and protect yourself from debris.

If a shelter isn’t available, stay in a low-lying area such as a ditch. But do not get under an overpass or bridge.

Tornado safety plan

Have multiple ways to get tornado watch or tornado warning alerts.

Download the free WSB-TV Weather App for alerts sent straight to your phone when a tornado watch or tornado warning is issued. Remember: Tornado sirens are only to warn people who are outdoors. You may not hear sirens if a warning is issued.

Severe Weather Team 2 will come on the air immediately when a tornado warning is issued and stay on the air until the threat is over.

If your power goes out, there are several ways you can still get Severe Weather Team 2 coverage. You can stream on the free WSB-TV news app or stream on the free WSB-TV weather app on your smart devices.

Know your county and be able to identify it on a map.

Weather warnings are county-based and our maps have county outlines. Severe Weather Team 2 will get hyper-local tracking any tornadoes, but knowing counties helps.

Familiarize yourself with where your county is, but also make sure you know the counties that surround yours as well.

Here is a map of Georgia and its 159 counties.

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