WASHINGTON (7News) — A line of severe storms moving at highway speeds slammed the D.C. and Baltimore metros Friday evening, leading to widespread wind damage and even a couple of tornado warnings.

On such an active weather day, it may be easy to think that any storm damage is from a tornado. But there is a difference between wind damage and tornado damage.

Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado?

The difference begins with the storm itself as it moves through the area. Is there a radar indication of a tornado? Or is there a bow echo, which is a radar indication of straight-line or downburst winds?

After the storm passes and damage reports come in, National Weather Service personnel are sent out to survey the damage, making note of the locations where there may have been a tornado, based on radar or not.

During the survey, the NWS crew will note the damage and assess whether it was a tornado.

Storm Damage Surveys

One of the key differences is how the damage is laid out. Is it inward or outward?

Wind flows into a tornado. Thus, damage and debris are often found lying out in angles that are sometimes even in a circular direction.

This is opposed to wind that flows out from a downburst. Debris from a downburst will level things like trees and powerlines in straight lines, hence the name "straight-line winds."

Take Both Seriously

Tornado winds can range from 40 to 300 mph, while downburst winds can contain winds up to 165 mph. The important thing to remember is to take both severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings seriously. Both can cause significant damage and even lead to loss of life.

It's important to remember that severe thunderstorm warnings are issued for storms capable of producing downbursts or straight-line winds. You will not receive a "downburst warning."