Threats & Emergencies

Tornadoes

What's in Tornado Basics

Related Info

Strong, persistent rotation in the base of a cloud.
Whirling dust or debris on the ground under a cloud base – tornadoes sometimes have no visible funnel.
Hail or heavy rain followed by dead calm or a fast, intense wind shift. Many tornadoes, especially in Virginia, are wrapped in heavy precipitation and can't be seen.
Loud, continuous roar or rumble, which doesn't fade in a few seconds like thunder.
If it's night, look for small, bright, blue-green to white flashes at ground level (as opposed to silvery lightning up in the clouds). These lights are power lines being snapped by very strong wind, maybe a tornado.
Persistent lowering of the cloud base.