Virginia’s annual statewide tornado drill will take place at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, March 8. If widespread severe weather threatens the commonwealth on that date, the drill will be rescheduled for Thursday, March 10, at the same time.

The drill is an opportunity to prepare Virginians for tornado threats and to test public warning systems.

The drill will start at approximately 9:45 a.m. with a test tornado warning sent in the form of a Required Monthly Test by the National Weather Service to National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration weather radios and local broadcasters.

Because this year’s drill will utilize the Required Monthly Test, most NOAA weather radios will not automatically sound an alert tone. For those participating in the drill, including schools and businesses, it is suggested to turn on your NOAA Weather Radio by 9:40 a.m., listening to the voice broadcast.

Those with their NOAA Weather Radio on and listening to the broadcast will hear the test aler...