AccuWeather is an American media company specializing in weather forecasting and meteorological services, founded in 1962 and headquartered in State College, Pennsylvania. It provides hyperlocal weather forecasts, radar imagery, and severe weather alerts to consumers, businesses, and governments worldwide through its website, mobile apps, and partnerships with media outlets. The company is known for its proprietary forecasting technologies and has expanded into climate risk analytics and digital media services.
The National Weather Service (NWS) is a United States federal agency responsible for providing weather forecasts, warnings, and meteorological services to protect life and property. Operating under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the NWS maintains a nationwide network of weather forecast offices and issues critical weather alerts including severe thunderstorm warnings, tornado warnings, and hurricane forecasts.
A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground, characterized by a funnel-shaped cloud and capable of producing winds exceeding 300 miles per hour. These atmospheric phenomena are among the most destructive weather events on Earth, with the majority occurring in the central United States within an area known as Tornado Alley.