North Carolina's severe weather preparedness week begins Sunday

Severe Weather Preparedness Week Begins Severe thunderstorms can occur at any time of the year, but especially from spring through late summer. WXII12's team of meteorologists will share more severe weather information each day based on selected topics curated by National Weather Service meteorologists. Daily severe weather topics include: Monday – Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, Tuesday – How to receive emergency alerts, Wednesday – Storm safety during high winds, hail, and tornadoes, Thursday – Lightning safety, Friday – Flash flood safety, and Saturday – Making a plan. Monday: Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes Thunderstorms occur most often during the spring and summer, but they can also occur in the fall and winter. North Carolina has about 40-50 days with thunderstorms annually. Of these, about 10% are classified as severe meaning they produce hailstones at least one inch in diameter, have winds of 58 mph or stronger, and/or could produce a tornado. When severe storms are expected, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued. Severe Thunderstorm Watch A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued when severe storms are forecast. This means you need to prepare for storms. Have a way to get watches and warnings and be prepared to act if a severe storm occurs where you are. Severe Thunderstorm Warning A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued when a severe storm occurs where you are. This means you need to take action! Seek shelter in the basement of a sturdy building as severe weather is occurring in your area or will occur soon. Thunderstorms can be deadly when strong winds blow down trees, limbs and power lines. Within storms, lightning can strike up to 10 miles from the storm. So when you hear thunder or see lightning, make sure you seek safe shelter inside and away from windows. Stay in a sheltered location for at least 30 minutes after the last sign of lightning appears. Where is my safe place? During severe weather, the safest place is inside a building or home, in the basement, away from windows and doors. Tornadoes reported that severe storms can produce tornadoes that can cause deaths as well as damage to neighborhood homes, businesses, and buildings in seconds. A tornado is a rotating funnel-shaped cloud extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. Some tornadoes can be easily seen. In our part of the country, this doesn't happen often as most of it is covered by heavy rain and difficult to see. If a tornado warning has been issued for your area, the safest place is inside the basement, away from windows and doors. On Wednesday, March 6, North Carolina's statewide tornado drill begins at 9:30 a.m. It will be Thursday, March 7 at 9:45 a.m. School leaders, business owners and residents are being asked to practice their safety plan Wednesday during the tornado drill. Knowing what to do and how to react if a tornado warning is issued for your location could save your life. Tornadoes that develop during supercell thunderstorms are the most common type of tornado. When columns of air within a storm begin to rotate and tilt from wind shear, a tornado may form. The rotating column of air descending from a storm cloud is a funnel cloud. If the column of air reaches the surface, it is called a tornado. Other types of spins include earth cannons, water cannons, storms, dust devils, and fire whirlpools. Tornado Watch and Tornado Warning A tornado watch means you need to prepare for potential tornadoes. Make sure you can receive warnings and have a plan for safe shelter if and when tornadoes develop. A tornado warning means you need to take action! A tornado has been spotted or indicated on radar. Find safe shelter in the basement or basement of a secure building. WXII12 Senior Meteorologist Lanny Pope has more on what to do during a tornado warning. Join us every day during Severe Weather Preparedness Week as we share more life-saving information in our live broadcasts.

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