What are some clear signs that a tornado may be coming?

Question

Of course you can click on the weather-channel, etc...but I mean just looking out your window and saying "There is going to be a tornado" How can you tell?

Answer 1

Well. I always remember that poem or saying,.."red sky at night sailor's delight,red sky in the morning sailor's warning.

So I know if it's going to rain,or thunderstorm. And sometimes you can actually smell rain coming.. But other than that,unless you know what a funnel cloud looks like (and I don't),it's best to invest in a battery-powered radio.

Answer 2

Low level,  fast moving clouds,  lots of wind...  some apparent rotation as clouds move in all directions..  I've reported them to TV stations on several ocassions.. as an official...  I am a meteorologist and former weather observer.

Answer 3

By the time you get to this sign, you better be in your basement, but a tornado coming through sounds like a freight train is coming through your front lawn. It's very loud, you can't mistake the sound, unless of course you usually have freight trains coming through your front lawn like I do! I've also heard that if its storming really bad, and then suddenly it stops, and theres no wind, no rain, nothing, and everything is still, you need to be high tailing it to your basement because the storm is getting bad. I've been through 2 tornados, and I don't care to live through another one. Also, if you live in town, your town sirens should go off if it gets bad enough as well.

Answer 4

If you see a squadron of cows fly past, thats a good indicator.

Answer 5

Look out for large, round anvil heads approaching you if you are not already under a storm. If there is a "hump", or overshooting top, above the flat anvil head, a strong updraft is in place, which is typical of supercells. Check for high winds and see if you can find hail, because both usually indicate a strong thunderstorm. See if you can find a protuberance on the bottom of the storm; it may indicate a descending wall cloud which could become a funnel. Most local radio and television stations will report on any possibilities of tornadoes for your general area.