Dear Tom,
When a tornado threatens, should the windows be open or closed? I say open but a friend says closed. Who is correct?
Kay Humphrey
Dear Kay,
It is widely believed that open windows will allow air pressure within a house to equalize with falling air pressure around the structure when a tornado moves overhead. This is an erroneous belief. The National Weather Service advises, “Leave the windows alone and immediately get yourself and those you are responsible for to a safe place.”
Engineering studies have shown that damage to a house results from the battering effect of airborne debris and the strength of tornadic winds, regardless whether the structure’s windows are open or closed. Buildings do not “explode,” and air-pressure differences within and outside the house do not contribute to a tornado’s damaging power.
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Tom Skilling is chief meteorologist at WGN-TV. His forecasts can be seen Monday through Friday on WGN-TV News at noon and 9 p.m.
Write to: ASK TOM WHY, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, IL 60618 or asktomwhy@wgntv.com (Mail volume precludes personal response.)
WGN-TV meteorologists Steve Kahn, Richard Koeneman and Paul Dailey plus weather producer Bill Snyder contribute to this page.
