I love my neighbors. I really do. But I have watched Dave fire up his charcoal grill under a tornado watch while telling his kids "it's fine, we'd see it coming" and I have aged approximately four years in that moment.
Tornado Watch = Heads Up
A watch means conditions are favorable. Ingredients are on the counter. The storm kitchen is open. You don't sprint to the basement for a watch — you make sure your shoes are by the door, your weather radio is on, your phone alerts are enabled, and you know where your interior room is. You stop grilling eventually, Dave.
Tornado Warning = Go Time
A warning means a tornado has been spotted or indicated by radar. Now you execute your plan. Interior room, lowest floor, away from windows. Helmet for kids if you've got one. Pets in carriers if you can. This is not the time to drive toward it for photos. I say this as someone who has been tempted.
The Supercell Layer
Severe thunderstorm warnings matter too — especially in supercell country. Baseball hail doesn't care that it isn't a tornado. Straight-line winds can do structural damage. When the NWS says "destructive" or mentions "particularly dangerous situation," that is not marketing language. That is them being polite before the atmosphere isn't.
My personal system: watch = prep mode, warning = shelter mode, PDS wording = I'm texting family and shutting off the grill for Dave whether he likes it or not.