what should you do when a tornado comes?
348378
After reading some of the earlier replies to this question, I think I (or someone else with expertise in meteorology) must respond. First, DO NOT WASTE PRECIOUS TIME OPENING THE WINDOWS OF YOUR HOME!!! This is an old-wives tale, passed down by those who do not understand the pressure-loading upon walls during tornadic events. The inside of a tornado is low pressure, much lower than in your home. As a tornado passes near or over the home, pressure builds on the inside of the walls, out. Due to the depth of the low in a tornado, this pressure builds up much earlier than will any damage from in-blown debris will occur. In fact, if the windows are going to blow out, they will do so whether you go around opening them or not. Opening the windows also does not alleviate the pressure build-up along the walls, since unless you own clerestory windows (for which you can't open anyway) and your entire house is glass, the pressure will still build up along the walls regardless. Opening the windows is only a time-waster, and will offer no real protection from anything. At best, from the time those sirens go off, you have 15 minutes to get to cover - you do NOT have time to waste opening windows.\n\nSecond, unless you are a trained storm spotter or experienced chaser (and, since you're asking this question, you aren't) DO NOT try and "film" the tornado. Quite frankly, every civilian who does this not only puts their own lives at risk, but they also selfishly endanger the lives of EMS and civil defense workers. I personally think that every good-timing yahoo who tries to film the tornado, and lacks the knowledge to do so safely, should be mandated to make the calls to the families of the police, fire, and EMS heroes who sacrifice in the line of duty to save the idiots.\n\nAnother misconception that needs to be dispelled before someone suggests it, is DO NOT seek refuge under an overpass if you're caught outside in a tornadic event. Five or six years ago, there was some infamous footage of a t.v. camera crew taking cover under an overpass when they themselves were caught outside while taping the storm (yet another example of point 2 above). They luckily survived, and because they did, many people who watched the tape believed (falsely) that this was a good tactic. If you examine the equation of vorticity, you will note that the wind speed actually increases as the circumference of the confining area decreases- in other words, the wind speed and force actually increases under overpasses. At least a few souls that I know of found this out the hard way. If you're caught outside, the best thing you can do to protect yourself is to lie smooshed-down, as flat as you can, into the nearest gulley or ditch; cover your head and neck with your arms so that you have at least some protection from debris. Hopefully, this tactic will shield you from debris, and may reduce the suction force since wind speeds slow down considerably in the boundary layer due to friction forces.\n\nIf you're in your car, abandon it and follow the procedure in paragraph 3 - you do not have the experience to know how to drive around a tornado and stay (relatively) safe. If you're in an apartment or trailer, either seek shelter in the storm shelter the property managers have (hopefully) put on-site or follow either the outdoor procedures (trailer park residents) or the following house advice (apartment dwellers). If you're in an apartment which does not have a shelter, or a house, seek shelter either (ideally) in a basement or in a window-less, centrally-located bathroom - or if all else fails, closet. You need windowless because you want to avoid flying glass and debris, and central because most tornados that strike are F3 or lower, which will only typically take the outer walls, and leave inner rooms intact. Bathrooms offer more protection than closets, because of the plumbing in the walls (of course, this only really applies if the plumb
515568
Yep it all depends on if the  warm air current is rising up to meet a cold one that is coming down and they clash enough to make a vortex. Tornado's can happen pretty much anywhere.
145471
Tornados don't have a season, unlike hurricanes, they occur year round in different parts of the country. Generally, most tornadoes occur in the Spring time and into Summer, in an area called "tornado alley", where warm air from the Gulf of Mexico clashes with cold air from Canada, and the Jetstream is usually over those 2 as well and creates a spin to the atmosphere, to initialize the tornadic activity.
830822
you are in the midst of a big tornado.the time for you is to wake up & save yourself from this tornado, by inquiring about the truth.
291148
the best thing to do is to ride the storm out, keep lots of toilet roll around though! drink lots of fluid, it will pass in a day or so. if it persisits, consult a doctor
1097410
No, don't think a tornado is a possibility. But if they tied themselves together and lit their farts, do you think they would take off?  :)
461908
We are having bad storms tomorrow too so a few things I would do is make sure you have an area to hide, clean and ready, have shoes ready, and have a radio or t.v. ready to find out information...
434485
No. How could a heat shield stop a raging tornado?
909872
You like tornadoes.\n\nCoach
596195
Try to put your car in the garage or under a large tree.  Stay in the house.  And pray.  I have been in some hailstorms where the hail was so large that it crashed through windows and busted out car windshields.  One in particular was very large, and the hail was not shaped like any round object.  It came down out of the sky in jagged chunks of ice.  If you get hit on the head by a very large piece of hail, you could get hurt.
628631
It depends on when you want to chase them.  If you're chasing in the winter, go to the Dixie Alley or areas near the Gulf of Mexico.  If you're chasing in the Spring, go to tornado alley, which includes Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas.  If you're chasing in the summer, go to Michigan, Ohio, New York, Pennslyvania, and Southern Ontario.  Southern Ontario is in Canada, but they do see a lot of tornadoes and severe storms during the summer.  Also Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta are also good.  They have less storms, but more random and possibly more Oklahoma style tornadoes.
254379
There are probably a few explanations, However a whirlwind probably not a tornado possibly. could you add some detail where are you located?\n\nI beleive there was some tornado activity in your area today.
615131
I have. I took pictures of this one that came right by my house. This tornado was in Tennesse so it was big for us down here. Also a few years ago a twister came through part of my town and destroyed the school i was going to. Since my town is so small and my school is so small we had class in our courthouse.
374927
While it definitely depends on the situation, there are some things that you can/should have regardless of the disaster type.  Some things to keep in min as suggestions are: a couple gallons of water, spare clothes, non-perishable food, and some way of getting news information, like a battery-powered radio.  If you find a list of things to have at home in case of a disaster, the list for work is very similar.
488370
You will usually have 48 hours notice, and before the rainy weather starts residents prepare for the onset of damaging winds by stocking up on supplies, checking their stoves, electric clocks, toiletries, items for infants and toddlers.\nResidents are also urged to pack away clothing, ready large garbage cans for the storage of water, get batteries into radios, tune them into emergency radio for all the latest storm information. You should also not forget to ready the flashlights in case the power does go out during the height of the storm, and as well make sure non-perishable food items are readily available. \n\nWater should be gathered and placed in clean containers for drinking. As well, other items including ice to be used to keep foodstuffs cold, and blankets should be on hand. \n\nSome tips now on what you should do to prepare for the storm’s arrival: get those important documents into zipable plastic bags, and cover your beds with plastic, as well (closets are the best place to stow away items). Roll carpets away from doors to ensure they do not get wet from rain coming through the cracks in your door, and don’t forget to keep that flashlight handy. \n\nSome more tips on what to do inside when the storm creeps closer are to be aware that as the power could fluctuate to remember to unplug any and all appliances. Such activity avoids the likelihood of shock. You would also be wise to turn off your gas ranges. \n\nFinally, outside you should secure all loose items, get toys and lawn furniture stored, canopies and other portable shelters should be taken down as well, as all to avoid having them be propelled into the storm posing a significant risk to life and property.
687056
A NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Adminstration) radio will keep you up to date on Severe Weather in your area. They are available just about anywhere (Target, Best buy, Circuit city), and new ones will allow you to set what alerts you want to hear (If your only interested in Floods, tornado warnings whatever) and will also allow you to set what county you live in so it wont go off unless the weather situation will affect where you are.... or you can monitor everything if you prefer.
417720
Standing on your head - use a shower cap on the cast.  Have someone standing by to call 911 if things don't turn out well.