Scheduled for March 10 at 9:45 a.m.
Richmond, VA - The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), in partnership with the National Weather Service (NWS), encourages all Virginians to participate in the Virginia Statewide Tornado Drill on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 9:45 a.m.
The annual drill is held during Severe Weather Awareness Week (March 9–13, 2026) and is designed to give residents, businesses, schools, and local governments the opportunity to practice tornado safety procedures. VDEM encourages all Virginians to register their participation in the drill and to share photos and updates on social media to promote preparedness across the commonwealth.
The drill will be broadcast on NOAA Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System via the Required Monthly Test (RMT). There WILL NOT be an actual Tornado Warning issued, and the notification WILL NOT be sent to cellular phones.
Most NOAA Weather Radio receivers (including the Midland WR-100 that many schools have) DO NOT sound an audible alert for the RMT product, but instead, may have a blinking light on the display to indicate that an RMT was received. As such, when the RMT for the statewide tornado drill is initiated at 9:45 AM on Tuesday March 10, 2026, there’s a good chance that your NOAA Weather Radio will not automatically sound an alarm.
Since your NOAA Weather Radio may not sound an alarm at the time the RMT is issued, you will want to do one of the following: turn your radio on to listen to the broadcast by 9:40 am and when you hear the alert, simply start your tornado drill at 9:45 AM. If you do not have a NOAA Weather Radio simply start your drill and enact your safety plan at 9:45 AM.
There will be no follow-up statements issued by the NWS to mark the end of the statewide tornado drill. It will simply be over when your group, school, business, organization, or family feels that you have adequately practiced your tornado shelter procedures.
Local jurisdictions, schools, and businesses are encouraged to treat the drill as if it were a real tornado warning and practice moving quickly to their designated safe areas.
During the drill, participants should:
• Move to a pre-identified safe location, such as a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
• Stay away from windows and exterior walls.
• Review emergency communication plans and procedures.
• Ensure multiple ways to receive weather alerts, including NOAA Weather Radio, smartphone alerts, and local media.
Tornadoes can happen at any time of year in Virginia, but the spring season often brings an increased risk of severe weather, including tornadoes, damaging winds, hail, and flash flooding.
For more information about the Virginia Statewide Tornado Drill and tornado preparedness, visit VDEM’s website or follow VDEM and the National Weather Service on social media.