This page was reviewed or revised on Thursday, July 2, 2015 9:21 AM
A tornado is a column of rotating wind, travelling across the land at up to 100 km/h. Wind speeds within a tornado can range from 64 km/h to over 500 km/h.
Most tornadoes in Ontario occur from May to September in late afternoon and are most frequent during moderate summer temperatures, accompanied by high humidity.
If you observe any of the above warning signs, take cover immediately!
Environment Canada will issue tornado Watches or Warnings when appropriate and local radio stations will usually broadcast such advisories as soon as possible. There are significant differences between Watches and Warnings:
When weather conditions look threatening, turn on your battery-powered radio and listen for weather reports. If residents in your area are advised to take cover, do so immediately!
Take shelter immediately, preferably in the lowest level of a sturdy building.
Stay away from windows, outer doors and exterior walls. Flying glass and debris blown into a building are extremely dangerous.
Do not spend valuable time opening windows to prevent a building from "exploding." Such action is unlikely to help because buildings are damaged by wind and by debris blown by the wind - not by a sudden drop in air pressure.
Take cover immediately when advised or when conditions dictate.
In a house, go to the basement and take shelter under a stairway or a sturdy work table.
In a house with no basement, go to a hallway, a closet or a bathroom near the centre of the house. Lying in a bathtub with a mattress on top may provide additional protection.
In a large building such as a grocery store or shopping mall, go to an interior hallway or a washroom on the lowest level or get under a sturdy piece of furniture. Avoid large rooms and stay away from windows.
In high-rise buildings, go to the lowest level, a small interior room or a stairwell. Stay out of elevators and away from windows.
In a vehicle or mobile home, find other shelter immediately. If better shelter is not available, lie in a ditch or culvert, but be aware of flash flooding. Protect your head and watch out for flying debris.
If you are driving and see a tornado in the distance, try to find shelter. If the tornado is close, get out of your vehicle and take cover in a low-lying area. If a tornado seems to be standing still, it is either travelling away from you, or heading right toward you!