Answer to Question 1
ANSWER: The National Weather Service issues several types of products related to tornadoes. A tornado watch is issued by the Storm Prediction Center to alert the public that tornadoes may develop within a specific area during a certain time period, usually a few hours long. Many communities have trained volunteer spotters, who look for tornadoes after the watch is issued. Once a tornado is spottedeither visually or on a radar screena tornado warning is issued by the local NWS office, typically covering parts of one or several counties and lasting from 30 to 45 minutes. A tornado emergency may also be issued on rare occasions when an especially strong tornado threatens a populated area. In some communities, sirens are sounded to alert people of the approaching storm. Radio and television stations (including NOAA Weather Radio) interrupt regular programming to broadcast the warning, and most newer cellphones will display the warning automatically through the Wireless Emergency Alert system (assuming the phones owner has not blocked this feature).
Answer to Question 2
ANSWER: Dont try to outrun an oncoming tornado in a car or truck, as tornadoes often cover erratic paths with speeds sometimes exceeding 70 knots (80 mi/hr). Instead, if the tornado is still at some distance, drive at a right angle to the tornados path. (If the tornado appears to be stationary, but getting bigger, it is most likely moving directly toward you.) If there is any question about how close the tornado is, abandon your vehicle and seek shelter immediatelybut not under a freeway overpass, as the tornados winds may be funneled (strengthened) by the overpass structure.
Types of Microbes
A variety of types of scissors.
The Location and Timing of Tornadoes