American Meteorological Society Certification (AMS) Practice 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

A Tornado Watch is issued when meteorological conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in a specific area. This means that the environment, including aspects such as wind shear, instability, and moisture levels, suggests that a tornado could potentially form. The watch serves as an alert to the public and meteorological services to be vigilant and prepared for a tornado, although it does not confirm that one has occurred or will definitely occur.

In contrast to the Tornado Watch, a Tornado Warning indicates that a tornado has actually been sighted or indicated on radar, meaning immediate action is necessary. Other options, such as Storm Alert and Severe Thunderstorm Watch, pertain to different weather phenomena, with the Storm Alert being a more general category and the Severe Thunderstorm Watch focusing on severe thunderstorms, which may or may not produce tornadoes. Thus, the issuance of a Tornado Watch is specifically associated with the potential for tornado formation rather than confirmation or related alerts.