We are jumping into spring, which means the potential for thunderstorms is right around the corner, including severe thunderstorms. Severe Weather Awareness Week is from March 21st to March 27th.
The state of Michigan asks a few key things to remember this severe weather season, – while social distancing.
Do you Know the Alert System?
Do you have a plan?
Where Will You Go?
What Will You Do?
How Will You Communicate?
The Doppler 9&10 Weather Team is diving into ways to make sure you are ready for this severe weather season.
We start with our very own Weather Alert Day Procedures.
The Doppler 9&10 Team issues a when the weather is threatening to you. You can also check out our where we talk about what our Weather Alert Day criteria are. We have several other episodes you can check out on Soundcloud, iTunes, and Spotify
Convective Outlook and Storm Threat
The Doppler 9&10 Weather Team often shows you the Convective Outlook. The Storm Prediction Center issues the Convective Outlook. You may hear us say, “we are at a level 2 risk for severe weather.” We are going to breakdown what that means.
Level 1 – Marginal
Level 2 – Slight
Level 3 – Enhanced
Level 4 – Moderate
Level 5 – High
If you did not know, there is a big difference between the difference. A common question: is a watch or warning worse?
A Warning is worse. A warning means that you have been warned of threatening weather that is imminent or occurring NOW. You need to take shelter from a severe thunderstorm or tornado. Or you need to take action that may be life-saving.
A watch means you are watching for these conditions. You and your family should have a plan ready in case severe weather or a tornado threatens your hometown. Prepare now that way you can IMMEDIATELY take action once your area is under a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning.
If you are under a warning, you NEED to take shelter. A tornado can strike without a warning as well. If you see or hear large hail, a green tint to the skies, or hear a loud roar these are good indications that there may be a tornado on the ground. If you think there is a tornado on the ground do not waste time trying to find the tornado or open your windows before a tornado. You can not always see the tornado and opening windows does not help prevent damage to your home.
Here are a few myths about tornadoes.
On Wednesday, March 24th at 1:00 PM there will be a statewide tornado drill. Now is the time to plan for your tornado safety plan, especially with COVID-19 ongoing. It is important to have a plan now. Practice what you are going to do when you are under a tornado warning (again, a warning meaning take immediate action).
Tornado Sirens: Tornado sirens were designed to be heard when you are outside. Most of you will not be able to hear the tornado sirens going off. It is important to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts.
We recommended following the Doppler 9&10 Weather Team on air. When we are not on the air there are multiple ways to reach us or get severe weather alerts. The more way to get alerts, the better.
-Free Doppler 9&10 Weather App for Apple and Android
– 9and10news.com/weather
-NOAA Weather Radio (National Weather Service Issues Local Warnings)
-Smartphones automatically sound for a Tornado Warning
It is also important to know what to bring. If you do not know where to go or what to bring to your tornado shelter, we have you covered below.
Now, you are under a tornado warning. Do you know what to do next? It all depends on where you are at.
Home: If you are in a home, go to an interior room on the lowest level of your home. If you have a basement, that is the best place to take shelter. If you do not have a basement, it is recommended that you take shelter in the center of your house in a closet or bathroom. You do NOT want to be near windows. The farther away you are from the outside, the better your chance of survival. If you can hunker underneath furniture that can help further protect you. A helmet can help protect your head from injury.
Mobile Home: It is advised that you leave the mobile home several hours before storms develop. It is never a good idea to leave in the middle of a storm. Mobile homes are not safe in tornadoes because they can
easily be blown off their foundations. If you live in a mobile home, find where your local shelter is. There may be some restrictions due to COVID-19. If you can not find a shelter, lay down in a nearby ditch and cover your head with a helmet or hands.
Driving in Your Vehicle: Do not stay in your car. Get out of your car and lay flat in a ditch while covering your head. Staying in your car is dangerous because your car can be lofted by a tornado. Parking underneath an overpass is not safe either because the winds from the tornado increase as it moves underneath the bridge.
Store, Church, Work, or School: Follow the guidelines provided by the school or workplace. This will typically be in an interior hallway, bathroom, or basement. Stay away from windows.
Now that you know where to take shelter make sure you have the necessary tools to survive in case a tornado does hit your location. It is best to have food and water, a helmet and shoes in case of debris, a first aid kit for injuries, and batteries in case you can not get to a place with electricity before dark.
Making a Plan and Executing it: The Doppler 9&10 Weather Team has made a to help you plan for this year’s severe weather season and will get you ready for the next storm.
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