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Severe weather season: Defining tornado damage and intensity

How to stay safe during tornado season in Colorado
How to stay safe during tornado season in Colorado 02:35

CBS Colorado's First Alert Meteorologist Joe Ruch discusses how tornadoes form and additional information in the video above.

Tornado season is rapidly approaching Colorado. In fact, we are under a month away from one of the most active months on average.

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CBS

The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale is used to classify the strength of a tornado. It can range from EF-0 to EF-5:  

Tornado intensity and damage 01:37

Learn more about hail.

Knowing the difference between a Tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning is important.

A Tornado Watch is issued hours earlier in the day, suggesting conditions are ripe and a tornado will be possible. When a Tornado Watch is issued it is important to stay weather aware and know your safe place.

A Tornado Warning is issued when a tornado is happening now or about to happen. Action should be taken immediately; you should enter your safe space.

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CBS

During a tornado, it is especially important to locate an interior room with no windows on the lowest floor possible. This will often be the basement or bathroom.

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