What's the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?

No, there wasn't a tornado on Friday. 

The National Weather Service is firm on that, blaming downed trees and other damage on straight-line winds, which come from thunderstorms and can exceed 58 miles per hour. 

But there was a tornado watch in effect Friday, and some residents reported getting tornado warnings. 

No tornadoes, but severe wind from thunderstorms brings down trees in Delaware

Severe weather season is approaching its annual peak, which means more thunderstorms, damaging wind, hail and the potential for tornadoes. 

Here's a breakdown of some important terms you may need to know, as well as the difference between a watch and a warning.  

Tornado watch 

During a tornado watch, weather conditions could lead to the formation of severe storms and tornadoes, though none have actually been spotted. 

"It doesn’t necessarily mean there will be a tornado," said Dean Iovino with the National Weather Service in Mount Holly. 

If there is a watch, you should be prepared to act quickly if a warning is issued or if you suspect a tornado is approaching. Know where you will take shelter if needed.

Tornado warning

A warning is issued if a tornado has been spotted or if radar indicates a tornado is occurring or could happen soon. 

Iovino, with the National Weather Service, said warnings aren't an exact science. Sometimes, radar will show rotating winds, but there is no actual tornado. 

“We sometimes issue a warning, just to be safe," he said. 

Regardless, if a warning is issued you should seek refuge immediately. Take shelter in the basement or a small interior ground floor room such as a bathroom, hallway or closet. Stay away from windows and doors. 

If you are in an office or an apartment building, do not use the elevator. If you are in a large building without interior rooms, like a church or auditorium, take cover under something sturdy like a table or desk. 

If you are driving and spot a tornado in the distance, go to the nearest, solid shelter. Avoid mobile homes, where more than half of all tornado deaths occur, as well as cars. 

If there is no sturdy shelter available, lie down in a ditch but keep an eye out for flood waters.

In all cases, get as close to the ground as possible and protect your head. 

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Tornado emergency 

In extremely rare situations, the National Weather Service may declare a tornado emergency. In such situations, there is a severe threat to human life and catastrophic damage due to a confirmed, violent tornado.

Seek shelter in the safest place possible, following the guidelines listed above. 

'A particularly dangerous situation' 

Have you ever noticed the wording "this is a particularly dangerous situation" in some of the severe weather watches issued by the National Weather Service? 

The phrase is used in tornado watches for rare situations when long-lived and intense tornadoes are likely, according to NWS. 

The wording might also accompany severe thunderstorm watches for widespread and exceptionally intense straight-line wind events. 

If you hear "this is a particularly dangerous situation," prepare to take shelter, consider canceling or postponing outdoor activities, inform others of the heightened risk, review your severe weather safety procedures and make sure you have multiple ways of receiving a weather warning. 

Funnel cloud

A funnel shaped cloud that is NOT in contact with the ground.

Tornadoes do make contact, but may only be visible once they have picked up enough dirt and debris. 

Severe thunderstorms

A thunderstorm is considered severe when it produces any of the following: Hail 1” (quarter size) or larger in diameter, winds which equal or exceed 58 miles per hour or a tornado.

There are different categories of risk, depending on the intensity and length of the storm. 

Flash floods

A flash flood is a rapid rise in water that occurs with little or no advanced warning, usually as the result of intense rainfall over a relatively small area in a short amount of time. 

Like with tornadoes, a watch signifies that there flash flooding is possible. A warning means flash flooding is in progress, imminent or highly likely, and you should move to higher ground or evacuate if possible. 

Hurricanes 

The hurricane season typically runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. After an active Atlantic hurricane season in 2018, AccuWeather forecasters are predicting 2019 to bring a near- to slightly above-normal season with 12 to 14 storms.

Of those storms, five to seven are forecast to become hurricanes and two to four are forecast to become major hurricanes.

Here are some quick terms you may want to memorize: 

• Tropical storm watch: Tropical storm conditions are possible in the specified area of the watch within 48 hours.
• Tropical storm warning: Tropical storm conditions are expected in the specified area of the warning within 36 hours.
• Hurricane watch: Hurricane conditions are possible in the specified area of the watch within 48 hours. During a hurricane watch, prepare to take immediate action to protect your family and property in case a hurricane warning is issued.
• Hurricane warning: Hurricane conditions are expected in the specified area of the warning within 36 hours. Complete all storm preparations and evacuate if directed by local officials.
• Short term watches and warnings: These provide detailed information on specific hurricane threats, such as tornadoes, floods, and high winds.

Before the hurricane season starts, you can prepare by reviewing Delaware's hurricane evacuation routes, restocking your emergency kit with fresh batteries and other supplies, putting aside non-perishable food and water supplies, obtaining materials such as plywood should you need to secure your home, reviewing your insurance policy and clearing loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts. 

To find out more about hurricanes and tropical storms, go to weather.gov/safety/hurricane. 

Contact Jessica Bies at (302) 324-2881 or jbies@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @jessicajbies.