When a Tornado siren is going off why do people stand outside and look for it?

Question

I was just wondering because just yesterday we had a tornado warning and just about everybody was standing out side looking for it. Would'nt you be inside in a closet or something where its safe?

Answer 1

I'd be out there, too, if the conditions were right.  If there was heavy rain, strong wind, frequent lightning, I'd be in the basement.

We get 8-15 warnings a year where I live.

Ulitmately, I let my wife tell me when we have to go to the basement.

Answer 2

Because people in your area arn't used to seeing tornadoes and no one in your town never saw on form.

Answer 3

If a tornado sire went off, I'd get my camcorder and film it because I'm a storm chaser. If it were getting to close to me, then I'd go to a safer place. Tornadoes are usually hard to find ans some people like me want to see one in real life.

Answer 4

They say Curiosity killed the cat ehh?  This is a prime example of that quote.  

We are all creatures of seeing is believing, and normally we succumb to our interests of discovering the dangers for ourselves than to seek shelter based on what that "stupid guy on TV" is saying to do.  

Others may just enjoy the risk taking due to the adrenaline rush that it provides.  That's why I always did it.  But I always made sure the storm was well west of me before I jumped outside.  It's good to have a firm knowledge of the storm's location and understand it's mechanisms before heading out to take a look!

Answer 5

well people stand outside beacause they want to check how far the tornado is and if there is one heading other that town.

Answer 6

Many changes take place in the atmosphere when a tornado may occur. It is important to learn the natural signs of a tornado in case weather forecasting is not available. Easy ways to tell if a tornado might be a threat are listed below.

Strong, persistent rotation in the cloud base

Whirling dust or debris on the ground under a cloud base—this may indicate a tornado funnel that is still inside the cloud

Hail or heavy rain followed by either dead calm or a fast, intense wind shift. Many tornadoes 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. A tornado also may sound like a waterfall, trains, and jets

Night- Small, bright, blue-green to white flashes at ground level near a thunderstorm, opposed to lightning flashes or strikes. These mean power lines are being snapped by very strong wind, which may be a tornado (above information from http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/tors...

The sky may be a greenish black color.

Clouds moving by very rapidly, which indicates strong winds

Debris falling from the sky

A funnel cloud that hasn’t touched the ground yet is a huge sign of a tornado.

If weather forecasting is available it is advisable to watch the weather channel or listen to the radio if you notice any of the above signs outside. While you are listening to a forecast if you hear the weather reporter say that there is a tornado watch that means that conditions for a tornado are favorable and that your should be prepared in case there is a tornado warning. If a tornado warning is posted that means that a tornado has been spotted and that you should take shelter immediately.

Answer 7

Because tornadoes are short and last not very long, while thunderstorms, they could go on forever!

Tornadoes are rare, so people want to see them.

Personaly, I would be under the stair well, or in the closet/or in a bath tub.

I am DEATHLY afraid of storms!

Answer 8

Because tornados are one of the most beautiful storms in nature.  As long as you know that one is in the area, it's fairly easy to catch a glimpse of it (as it's coming towards you), and then duck into safety when it gets close.

A tornado is very small, compared to something like a hurricane.  They are pretty easy to avoid, if you know what you are doing...