Weather Service To Implement New Tornado Warning System

Weather experts are looking for new ways to warn the public when a tornado is near.

We're all guilty of it, just hearing that there's a tornado warning, unless we actually see the clouds forming outside, we don't always seek shelter.

So starting tomorrow, five weather service offices in Kansas and Missouri will test a new type of tornado warning system. It will be based on the severity of a storm's expected impact. It won't affect the sirens you hear, but what kinds of words meteorologists use when talking about the approaching storm. Soon you'll hear words like "mass devastation", "un-survivable" and "catastrophic".

"When we get to these very high-end phrases, that's an indication that the threat is legitimate and that's a large and violent tornado and you really need to be in some area that's more than a refuge. It's best to be in a basement underneath something. Safe rooms are good. Storm cellars are good," said Steve Plitz, the meteorologist in charge of the change.

Tonight at nine and 10, we'll let you know if local weather experts think this change in phrasing will actually make a difference.

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