Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week!! Day 1

SEVERE SUMMER WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK

May 2nd - May 6th.

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=fgf&storyid=51423&source=0

Day 1. Severe Weather Watches and Warnings, and How to Receive Severe Weather Information

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/fgf/?n=severesummer2010_day1

Now, I know pretty much all of us are aware what there is some sort of communication between the NWS and the public. The NWS just wants all of us to be safe and aware of what is going on around us. Most know the differences between watches and warning, but some of you may still get them confused. Here is how I remember it.

WATCH: "Watch out everyone there is the potential for severe weather out there today!"

WARNING: "Warning, Danger Will Robinson, there are storms coming your way you better keep an eye to the sky!"

The NWS can issue a watch as far as 2 days in advance. They usually only issue it 24 hours in advance, because severe weather can be hard to predict. The SPC (storm prediction center) puts out a forecast early in the morning each day letting people know where the threat of severe weather might be.

If a watch is issued, it is by the local NWS near you. They usually have extra people on staff and most media related outlets are notified. 

If a warning is issues, again it is by the local NWS offices nearest to you. They send it out to a multitude of ways, the radio, TV, sheriffs offices and more. They keep the public and officials notified until the threat has decreased.

Sirens can be sounded in different situations. They are all owned by the different cities and counties. They are also run by them. "Some will activate them across the entire county for a tornado warning only. Others will activate sirens countywide for tornado warnings and all severe thunderstorm warnings. Some will activate sirens across the entire county for tornado warnings and severe thunderstorms that have winds of at least 70 or 75 mph.  Others will activate sirens only for portions of counties." (NWS)

If you want the most accurate forecast, watches and warnings, buy a NOAA Weather Radio.

http://www.weatherradiostore.com/?s=g&kw=noaa+weather+radio&gclid=CIKCgv-hyqgCFQkFbAodQC0RqA

 

They are updated and run by the NWS and they will have the most up to date information. These are the best to have in Emergency... as long as you have batteries in it!