The primary mission of the National Weather Service is to protect lives from hazardous weather. Meteorologists closely monitor the atmosphere for conditions which may produce tornadoes or severe thunderstorms. If there is a potential for storm development within the next several hours, a Tornado Watch is issued. While you can continue with your routine activities when a Watch is in effect, you should pay close attention to the sky. If it becomes unusually threatening or if you hear thunder, it's always best to go indoors until the storm passes.
Tornadoes can form very rapidly.
Also, listen for the latest weather information on your favorite radio or TV station, or on NOAA Weather Radio. Doppler radar currently in use at all National Weather Service Offices has greatly aided forecasters in detecting tornadoes. In addition, volunteer storm spotters trained by the National Weather Service have provided valuable ground truth information on tornado touchdowns. If a tornado is sighted by spotters or detected on radar, the National Weather Service would quickly issue a Tornado Warning for communities in the storm's path. If you live in or near a community mentioned in the warning, you should take cover immediately by going into an interior room, away from windows, on the lowest level of a sturdy building.