STORM2K

I've been noticing that the NWS has been more willing to pull the trigger on Tornado Emergencies.

IMO, they need to come up with a clear definiton for a Tornado Emergency and stick to it. I think that they need to be very careful about overusing it, because then it becomes just another tornado warning to the general public. Right now, "Tornado Emergency" gets peoples attention, they need to keep it that way.

Bringing back this old post after yet another tornado emergency that didn't really verify.

I think that all of the following criteria should have to be met:

*Visual confirmation of a large or destructive tornado
*Clear radar signature to confirm the sighting
*Large number of people in its path (at least one of the following must be met):
**2,000 people in its immediate path in the next 5 minutes (based on track motion, within 1-3 miles depending on tornado width)
**10,000 people in its immediate path in the next 20 minutes (based on track motion, within 1-5 miles depending on tornado width and relative position)
**Major activity area (i.e. major business area, shopping center) in its immediate path in the next 20 minutes

Maximum lead time should be 20 minutes for tornado emergencies.

The only thing is, we do not know the tornado's width until after it is gone. Plus, width has nothing to do with strength. It can be 10 yards wide and be an EF5 or 2 miles wide and be an EF1.

I think tornado warnings should be for Doppler radar, and emergencies used for tornadoes that are actually on the ground.