Fillmore

Spring is now upon Nebraska... and it is never too early to
prepare for the upcoming severe weather season. Today is the
first day of severe weather awareness week for the state of
Nebraska... which continues through Friday March 26th.

Severe weather awareness week provides the National Weather Service
with the opportunity to test communication systems and to get
potentially lifesaving information out to the public. Now is the
time for everyone to review their safety plans and to be prepared
for the severe weather season. This years statewide tornado drill
is scheduled for Wednesday March 24th between 10 and 11 am CDT.

The topic for today is severe weather terminology.

It is important to understand the terms you may hear in a product
issued by the National Weather Service.

A severe thunderstorm is a thunderstorm capable of producing hail
one inch in diameter or larger... winds that are equal to or greater
than 58 mph... or a tornado.

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air which extends from a
convective cloud and is in contact with the ground. The entire
column of air associated with a tornado is not always visible... and
may only be visible once it has picked up enough dirt and debris.
Remember a tornado can strike with little or no warning.

A flash flood is a rapid rise in water that can occur with little
warning... and is usually the result of intense rainfall over a
relatively small area in a short amount of time.

A watch is issued when conditions are favorable for the development
of severe weather in and close to the watch area. The size of the
watch depends on the situation... and is usually issued for a
duration of 4 to 8 hours.

A warning is issued when severe weather has either been detected by
radar or reported by storm spotters. Information in the warning
will include the location impacted... the primary threat... and the
path of the storm. Warnings can be issued without a watch already
in effect. People in the affected area should seek shelter
immediately.

Before severe weather strikes... develop a plan of action. Identify
a place for you and your family to take shelter in the event of
severe weather. Once you have a plan of action... conduct frequent
drills to ensure everyone knows what to do at all times.

Anytime the threat for severe weather exists... stay updated to the
latest weather information by going to the National Weather
Service website... www.Weather.Gov... or by tuning in to NOAA
Weather Radio all hazards or your local television and radio
stations. Make sure to watch for signs of approaching
storms... such as darkening skies... increasing winds... flashes of
lightning... and thunder.

More information about severe weather awareness week can be found at
www.Weather.Gov/Hastings.