‘Particularly Dangerous Situation’ Tornado Watch or Warning: What Does It Mean?

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PDS Tornado Watches are issued when the forecaster has high confidence that multiple strong or violent tornadoes will occur in the watch area. #PDSTornado #TornadoWarning #TornadoWatch

Tornadoes are narrow, violently rotating columns of air that stretch from thunderstorms to the ground.

Forecasters use data to predict where tornadoes are likely to occur and issue tornado watches and warnings when conditions warrant them.

Tornadoes are among the most extreme types of weather on the planet.

But in some cases, forecasters will issue a "Particularly Dangerous Situation" Watch or Warning.

PDS Tornado Watches are issued when the forecaster has high confidence that multiple strong or violent tornadoes will occur in the watch area.

Tornadoes rated EF-2 through EF-5 make up a small portion of all tornado reports, but are responsible for most deaths, injuries and damage reports.

Issuing a PDS Tornado Watch is rare—making up only 7% of Tornado Watches issued between 1996-2005 (216 of 3,058).

Here’s what you need to do if a PDS Tornado Watch is issued in your area:

PDS Tornado Watch:
* This means conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form.
* Monitor local weather reports and be prepared to take shelter if a warning is issued where you are.

PDS Tornado Warning:
* This means a tornado has been indicated by radar or someone has seen it on the ground.
* Move to the lowest level of the building you’re in, preferably a basement or storm shelter.
* Find a room in the center of the building and stay away from windows.
* You need to put as many walls between you and the tornado as possible, making flying debris harder to reach and injure you.
* Also, use a helmet or other object to cover your head if possible.

PDS Tornado Emergency:
* A tornado emergency is rare, and according to the National Weather Service there are specific criteria for that to be issued.
* There needs to be a severe threat to human life that is imminent or ongoing, catastrophic damage is imminent or ongoing, and reliable sources, such as a trained spotter or strong radar evidence that a tornado exists.

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