Frequently Asked Questions About the Tornado Test

To give families a chance to test their emergency plans, a statewide tornado drill will be held during the evening of April 14, 2016. The drill is part of the annual spring severe weather campaign to encourage people in Wisconsin to get ready for possible tornadoes and severe weather.
How does the National Weather Service deliver these tornado tests and real tornado watches and warnings? They use a notification program called the Emergency Alert System or EAS.
What is the Emergency Alert System (EAS)? EAS is a national public alert and warning system that enables the President of the United States to address the American public during extreme emergencies. Alerting authorities like the National Weather Service can also use the state and local EAS to send alerts and warnings to radio and television stations, cable television, and NOAA weather radios (also known as emergency weather radios).
Why do these tests? The National Weather Service, Wisconsin Emergency Management and the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association believe it is important to allow the public to test their NOAA weather radio receivers, which can only be activated using a real tornado warning code. The code also triggers the alert to air on most broadcast radio, TV and cable stations. The goal of any drill is to test all electronic systems that alert Wisconsin citizens to impending severe weather that can result in the loss of life and property.
What can I expect to hear/see? The tests may look like a regular EAS test that most people are already familiar with, but there will be some differences in what viewers will see and hear. The audio message will repeat “This is a test.” The video message scroll may not indicate “This is a test” due to programming limitations. The message will last for approximately one minute and then regular programming will resume.
Where will I hear/see the tests? On all participating radio, television, cable providers (who are called EAS Participants) and NOAA Weather Radios.
When will the tests occur? April 14, at 1:00 p.m., for the mock tornado watch, and at 1:45 p.m. for the mock tornado warnings. At 2:00 p.m., the tornado test will end. A second mock tornado warning will be issued at 6:55 p.m.
What else might happen? Many communities will activate their outdoor warning sirens for the tests at 1:45 p.m. and 6:55 p.m.
What would cause the tests to be postponed or cancelled? The tornado drills will take place even if the sky is cloudy, dark and/or rainy, and even non-severe thunderstorms. We realize a cloudy, dark sky with rain may look threatening to some people. However, this is not a hazardous situation that results in a direct loss of life and/or property.
If actual severe storms are expected anywhere in Wisconsin on Thursday, April 14, the tornado drills will be postponed until Friday, April 15, at the same times. If severe storms are possible Friday, the drills will be cancelled. Severe weather is defined as tornadoes, damaging thunderstorm wind gusts of 58 mph or more, or large hail 1-inch in diameter or larger. Any changes will be issued to local media, as well as posted on the ReadyWisconsin website at http://readywisconsin.wi.gov. Updates will also be posted on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ReadyWisconsin), Twitter (www.twitter.com/ReadyWisconsin) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/ReadyWisconsin).
Are any other states participating in this test? Yes, the drills will also occur at the same time in Minnesota and will be broadcast on radio and TV stations there as well.
Will the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) be activated in my cell phone? No, the drills will not activate an emergency notification on your cell phone. But during actual tornado warnings your phone will alert you to the danger in your area.