Severe storms are sweeping across Oklahoma, with News and local meteorologists issuing multiple tornado watches and warnings for the Tulsa and Oklahoma City areas late Saturday into Sunday morning. But what’s the real difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning—and why does it matter for your safety?
A tornado watch means conditions are right for tornadoes to form. It covers a large area and can last for several hours. During a watch, residents in Tulsa, OKC, and surrounding counties should stay alert, review emergency plans, and be ready to move to safety if conditions worsen.
A tornado warning is far more urgent: it means a tornado has been spotted or detected by radar in your area. Warnings are issued for smaller regions and typically last to minutes. If you’re under a warning, seek shelter immediately in an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows. Mobile homes, vehicles, and outdoor locations are especially dangerous—move to a sturdy building if possible.
As of late Saturday, tornado watches and warnings were in effect for multiple Oklahoma counties, with reports of damage in Ada and ongoing tracking by News weather teams. Stay tuned for live updates and take all warnings seriously—your safety depends on it.
