Tornado Season in Lubbock: What to Watch For, What to Do, and How to Stay Safe

It’s springtime in West Texas, and you know what that means: longer days, warm afternoons, blooming wildflowers, and—tornado season! While most of us have grown up with an eye on the sky and an ear tuned to Ron Roberts' weather on the radio, it never hurts to refresh your tornado know-how, especially with our weather known to change on a dime.

So, let’s break it down...

🚨 First Things First: Tornado Watch vs. Tornado Warning

Tornado Watch:
Think of this like a weather "heads-up." Conditions are right for tornadoes to form, but nothing has been spotted just yet. You don’t have to run for cover immediately—but stay alert and make sure your phone’s charged and your weather alerts are on.

Tornado Warning:
This one’s the real deal. A tornado has either been spotted or detected by radar. That means it’s time to take shelter NOW. No arguing. No standing outside looking for it. Just move.

🌪️ Signs a Tornado Might Be Coming

Folks around Lubbock have seen it all, but here are a few classic warning signs that trouble’s brewing:

• A dark, greenish sky (it’s creepy, but real)

• Large, low-hanging clouds or a visible funnel

• Hail or heavy rain followed by sudden calm

• A loud roar, like a freight train (yep, that's EXACTLY how they're said to sound)

• Your ears might pop or feel weird from air pressure changes

If you see or hear any of these, don’t wait around to make a viral TikTok video of the tornado—take cover...NOW!

🏃‍♂️ What to Do When a Tornado Hits Lubbock

• Go to the lowest level of your home (basement or interior room)

• Stay away from windows—flying glass is no joke

• Cover your head with a pillow, mattress, or even a bike helmet

• No basement? A small hallway, closet, or bathroom is your best bet

• If you’re in a mobile home—LEAVE IMMEDIATELY! Get out and go to a more secure shelter

💨 After the Storm Passes

• Stay put until local officials give the all-clear

• Avoid downed power lines and flooded areas

• Check on neighbors, especially the elderly or anyone with special needs

• Document damage for insurance (photos help!)

• If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound, leave the building IMMEDIATELY and call 911

Stay Smart, Lubbock!

Stay tuned to your radio and keep an eye on the skies, folks. We’ll get through it together, just like we always do.

And remember: the safest place during a tornado is NOT filming it from your porch. Let’s leave that to the storm chasers.