The actual sound of a tornado will depend on its size, intensity and how close you are to the twister.
The first sign of an approaching tornado should be an alert of a Tornado Warning, but if a twister is on the ground coming, will you hear it? Every tornado is unique. Still, those who have encountered the dangerous weather event have described the experience with a few similarities.
Many of the sounds associated with a tornado won’t be from the actual twister but from the effects of the tornado: Powerful wind, flying debris, hail, thunder, the popping of powerlines being snapped and tree branches flying away.
Most distinctly, ahead of a twister, you should hear the sound of tornado sirens or alerts from your FOX Weather app alerting you to the Tornado Warning.
Tornado spotted on the ground in Tipp City, Ohio on Wednesday.
According to NOAA's Storm Prediction Center, the actual sound of a tornado will depend on its size, intensity and how close you are to the twister.
"The most common tornado sound is a continuous rumble, like a nearby train. Sometimes a tornado produces a loud whooshing sound, similar to a waterfall, or the noise of open car windows while driving very fast," according to the SPC.
Tornadoes moving through urban or densely populated areas can create a lot of noise from debris that may sound like a tremendous roar, according to the SPC. These noises can sound similar to a strong thunderstorm.
Bowie, Maryland, resident James Martinez described to FOX Weather journalist Katie Byrne what it was like to experience the EF-1-rated tornado over the summer.
After getting the Tornado Warning alert on his phone, he said he knew he needed to take it seriously.
"I looked outside. The rain had stopped and dissipated, and it looked like it was over. So I came back inside and thought nothing was going to come of this," he said. "The next thing I hear was the wind whipping around … I couldn’t see the house next door. It was like a white wall of wind," Martinez recalled.
FOX Weather multimedia journalist Katie Byrne spoke with resident James Martinez, who talked about his experience as the tornado moved over his home and brought a tree down into his bedroom.
"There was a loud rumbling noise, and then I pretty much braced myself under the door frame … I heard a huge boom," he continued.
After the storm passed, he realized the twister brought a tree down into his bedroom, where he would have been moments prior.
Storm chasers show video of a tornado barreling through an area south of Crowell, Texas.
In Crowell, Texas, several storm chasers were far enough away to avoid a tornado but close enough to hear the sound of the tornado inflow jet. The sound is distinct as air feeds into the base of the tornado.
Knowing when and where to take cover is more important than listening to an incoming tornado's roar. Make sure to have your location turned on in the FOX Weather app. If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, the app will sound off, telling you it's time to take cover.
Tornadoes can indeed produce loud noises due to the violent winds and debris they carry. These noises can be reminiscent of a train or jet engine passing by. The phenomenon is a result of the strong winds swirling at high speeds, creating a rumbling sound that can be heard from a distance. 1.
Sound: The sound of a freight train is the roar of wind as it moves through trees and buildings. It may indicate an approaching tornado or severe downburst. The rapid rotation of winds in a tornado also sometimes make a high pitch whistling or whirling noise.
What does a tornado sound like? People who have been in a tornado say it sounds like a jet engine or a freight train and is very loud. They said it hurt their ears, but they were more worried about what might happen to them than they were about the pain in their ears.
Dogs may also know about a storm before humans thanks to their much stronger sense of smell and hearing. According to Wag Walking, “[Dogs] can also sense the atmosphere's heat, compression and temperature change – all of which tell a dog that there is something bad about to happen, like a tornado.”
Utilize emergency notification systems, such as IECC-Alerts to receive updated information. Do not call 911 unless you need to report an emergency such as a fire, medical emergency, or severe building damage. 911 lines need to be kept open and available for emergency calls.
Before a tornado strikes, the wind may die down and the air may become very still. A loud roar similar to a freight train may be heard. An approaching cloud of debris, even if a funnel is not visible.
The "calm before the storm" can occur under certain conditions, but it's not a guarantee for every storm. This calm happens when warm, moist air that fuels the storm is pulled in, creating a low-pressure area and stabilizing the surrounding air with warm, dry air that descends from the storm.
Tornadoes at any time of day can cause mass amounts of destruction, but tornadoes in the dark are far more likely to turn deadly. Tornadoes at any time of day can cause mass amounts of destruction and potentially kill those caught unprepared, but tornadoes in the dark are far more likely to turn deadly.
Day or night - Loud, continuous roar or rumble, which doesn't fade in a few seconds like thunder. Night - Small, bright, blue-green to white flashes at ground level near a thunderstorm (as opposed to silvery lightning up in the clouds). These mean power lines are being snapped by very strong wind, maybe a tornado.
Woodpeckers and chickadees are among some of the birds that will find holes in trees while other animals seek refuge in cavernous rocks or nooks and crannies offered by man-made structures. If they are burrowers, such as moles, badgers, groundhogs, and some squirrels and snakes, they head underground.
Put all pets in cages or carriers and in the safe room when a tornado warning is issued. Animals can sense bad weather and will look for a place to hide if they sense it is near. NEVER leave your pet chained outside or enclosed in a manner in which they cannot escape danger.
Many dogs are fearful of tornados, storms, and thunder. Some dogs will be so scared that they will shake, cower, and hide away under beds and in closets. If your dog is this fearful of storms, they likely experience a lot of stress and anxiety when a storm is approaching and when it is actually happening.
Many tornadoes are wrapped in heavy precipitation and can't be seen. Day or night - Loud, continuous roar or rumble, which doesn't fade in a few seconds like thunder. Night - Small, bright, blue-green to white flashes at ground level near a thunderstorm (as opposed to silvery lightning up in the clouds).
A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated on weather radar and you should take shelter immediately. A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible and you should keep an eye on weather coverage and be prepared to act quickly. Click here to view 5 On Your Side's weather coverage.
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