How good are severe weather warnings when driving through "Tornado Alley"?

Question

I'm driving from Florida to California about May 15th. Since I have to go through Tornado Alley, I'm hoping I can choose the best route at the last minute. So I'm wondering how much of an advance severe weather warning I can expect?

Answer 1

With supercellular thunderstorms, you should get a warning at least 10 minutes prior to a tornado. Landspouts can occur unexpectedly and sometimes will not be warned because the NWS usually has no way of knowing that one is occurring unless someone reports it. Though a majority of them are, severe thunderstorms are not always found and warned. If you run into large hail, turn around quickly and drive away. Large hail is very destructive, dangerous, and is indicative of an area where there could be a tornado. If a tornado is spotted, drive in the opposite direction and then at right angle from the tornado. If you are in a bad situation where you can't get away from a tornado you should get out of your car and lie in a ditch (the deeper the better), don't go under an overpass. Straight line winds can push high profile (and sometimes even low profile) vehicles off the highway, so if it starts getting very windy, it might be wise to pull over and wait for it to stop. Flash flooding can make unseemingly deep puddles of water on the roadways, so it is best to turn around and not drown.



To see if you're at risk, go here:

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/watch/

Answer 2

The rotation in a thunderstorm has the flair to provide a tornado. definite in certain circumstances the rotation does no longer produce a tornado yet in certain circumstances it does it truly is likewise fairly a lot the in straightforward words way a tornado varieties. The nationwide climate provider defines a tornado caution just about as good rotation being detected in a thunderstorm on the doppler radar yet a tornado may already be on the floor or if a funnel cloud or tornado replaced into detected or stated. The rotation ought to produce a tornado at any given second and they favor human beings to guard themselves in basic terms in case it does form. There are also circumstances the position the radar would not stumble on tornadoes and the radar would nicely be showing in straightforward words rotation in the intervening time there's a tornado on the floor. in the adventure that they created a third element alert, human beings would not take that as intense as a tornado caution and if a tornado does form then it must be too late to keep themselves out of harms way. also, it relies upon on the position you stay. in case you stay in an section the position tornadoes are not too instantly ahead then that's authentic that maximum rotation would not create a tornado yet extremely some them do in parts the position tornadoes are instantly ahead.

Answer 3

The best thing to do is call the states court house that you will be going through. The court house is the place to call because they are supposed to answer your questions or the Emergency Services Buildings (aka EMS), you can easily call 411 and get the number for the courthouses, and they can give you the best route. Just explain to them that you are traveling and want to be prepared in case of something like that happening, you want to take and head all cautions, especially in situations such as deadly tornados.



I would definately check the weather for all the states you are going to travel, and if there is even a possibility of it being severe or rather stormy then I would postpone my trip, or stay in a nice (safe and sturdy) hotel, somewhere just outside of tornado alley, atleast til the weather clears.

Answer 4

Generally for watches anywhere from 15 minutes to 8 hours, a couple times I have seen then posted 12 hours in advance. As for warnings, that depends on what it is either thunderstorm or tornado, either way you have about 15 minutes to head for cover, however I can't imagine why you would want to be on the road during a torrential downpour or worse.

Answer 5

Keep you ear to local radio stations and when you stop for the night check the weather on TV. Most good weather stations know if bad weather is coming. Be prepared and if you see it coming stop your car at the closest under pass, get out of your car and pray.



Good Luck, you'll be fine. Safe travels

s

Answer 6

Learn how to watch the sky and identify potentially severe weather that may be coming. Shouldn't take more than an hour to learn.

Answer 7

not very good unless you are listening on the weater bandon cd radios. I was almost caught there by a tornado, we actually pulled over on an underpass which later I found out was not a good thing to do on some special on tv

Answer 8

When you see flying trailers, take cover. When you see flying monkeys, its too late.