Did you know? All about tornado warnings Published Feb. 20, 2009 By Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- Did you know that the base tornado siren is tested every Wednesday at noon? The only exceptions are during announced exercises or when thunderstorms are expected or occurring in the Oklahoma City area. Base weather, or the back-up location at the command post, sounds the siren in conjunction with the National Weather Service's weekly alert test. During severe weather events, weather forecasters at Tinker keep an eye on sensitive forecasting equipment and on sky conditions to protect base personnel and assets. The tornado siren will only be sounded if a tornado is expected to directly affect Tinker. It is possible to hear Midwest City's sirens while Tinker's sirens are not activated. This is due in part because the National Weather Service issues warnings by county, where base weather is able to focus on a much more precise scale. For example, a tornado in Edmond and resulting tornado warning for Oklahoma County will cause the sirens to be activated for Midwest City, but not necessarily at Tinker or vice versa. After sounding the sirens, base weather also issues the tornado warning over the Tinker Messaging System with a forced computer screen pop-up and siren if the speakers are turned on. Base personnel should know the location of their tornado shelter and move there immediately upon notification of the warning. Remember, a vehicle does not offer adequate shelter from a tornado, and you should exit and seek low ground in a ditch if caught in a vehicle. Each access gate to Tinker is equipped with a tornado shelter for the safety of base personnel. A tornado exercise is conducted yearly prior to the spring severe weather season to test Tinker's severe weather response. This year's exercise is set for March 2. For up-to-date weather information, visit the base weather Web site at https://www.tinker.af.mil/weather.