Tornado Facts: Watch, Warning and EF Scale Quiz

Ten documented questions about warning systems, radar signatures, tornado ratings and National Weather Service safety.

Choose one answer per question. There’s no timer. You can skip a question; unanswered questions count as incorrect.

QUESTION 01What does an official tornado watch primarily mean?

Conditions favor possible tornadoes in a regionA tornado has struck every town in the areaThe storm has already endedDamage has received an EF rating

QUESTION 02Who normally issues tornado warnings for specific local areas in the United States?

A highway patrol officeLocal National Weather Service officesThe U.S. Geological SurveyOnly volunteer storm chasers

QUESTION 03What action is appropriate when a tornado warning includes your location?

Go outdoors to photograph the cloudsOpen all household windowsTake shelter immediately in a safer interior placeWait for an EF rating before moving

QUESTION 04Which organization issues tornado watches for broad U.S. regions?

National Park ServiceFederal Aviation AdministrationU.S. Census BureauNOAA Storm Prediction Center

QUESTION 05What is the highest category on the U.S. Enhanced Fujita tornado scale?

EF5EF3F10Category 7

QUESTION 06In which year did the Enhanced Fujita scale replace the original Fujita scale in the United States?

1990200720172023

QUESTION 07How are Enhanced Fujita ratings usually established?

By the number of TV news reportsBy cloud color aloneBy evaluating damage indicators and estimated wind speedsBy asking the first eyewitness to choose a number

QUESTION 08What can Doppler weather radar help meteorologists detect inside a severe storm?

A guaranteed exact tornado widthThe color of every roofA permanent change to air pressureRotation inferred from the motion of radar targets

QUESTION 09Which indoor shelter location is generally preferable during a tornado warning?

A basement or windowless interior room on the lowest floorA sunroom with large windowsAn open gymnasiumThe top floor facing the storm

QUESTION 10Which popular tornado precaution is a disproven myth?

Monitor current National Weather Service alertsOpening windows to equalize pressure and prevent damagePlan ahead if you live in a mobile homeProtect your head from flying debris

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