Severe weather awareness week day 1
Severe weather can strike quickly and be deadly. It is important to be prepared now. The following web story is a direct transcription from the National Weather Service regarding severe weather awareness week. This is the first of a six part series on severe weather safety which will run each day during New York's severe weather awareness week. Governor Andrew Cuomo has declared this week, May 1st through May 7th, Severe Weather Awareness week in New York. NOAA’s national weather service joins Governor Cuomo in partnership with the agencies of the New York state disaster preparedness commission, local agencies, volunteer agencies, and private sector organizations in urging all residents to learn how to protect themselves from the hazards of flooding, tornadoes, and severe thunderstorms.
Over the last 20 years severe weather, not including floods, has killed nearly 50 people in New York and caused over one quarter of a billion dollars in damage. On average, the National Weather Service issues 400 severe thunderstorm warnings, 17 tornado warnings and about 150 flash flood warnings each year in New York state. To reduce your chances of being killed or injured by severe weather, it is important to understand the meaning of severe weather watches and warnings.
Severe thunderstorms are defined as those thunderstorms that produce winds of 58 mph or greater and/or hail of one inch in diameter or larger.
A severe thunderstorm WATCH means that severe thunderstorms are possible over the next several hours, typically no more than six hours. You should continue with your daily routine, but be prepared to move to a place of safety should a severe thunderstorm warning be issued.
A severe thunderstorm WARNING means that severe thunderstorms are imminent or occurring. A warning implies a significant threat to life and property. You should seek shelter immediately when a severe thunderstorm warning is issued.
Tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air in contact with the ground and attached to the cloud base above.
A tornado WATCH means that tornadoes are possible over the next several hours, again usually no more than six hours.
A tornado WARNING means that a tornado is imminent or occurring. A tornado warning implies an immediate threat to life and property. Take shelter immediately. The best place is in the basement, if available. If not, a small room or closet on the lower level of the building in the safest place.
Flash flooding is a rapid rise, within six hours, of water along a stream or low lying urban area. The most common cause of flash flooding is heavy downpours associated with thunderstorms.
A flash flood WATCH means that conditions are favorable for flash flooding. Continue with your daily activities, but be prepared to head to a place of safety should a flash flood warning be issued.
A flash flood WARNING means that flooding is imminent or occurring. Flood waters can rise rapidly. Seek shelter and higher ground immediately when a flash flood warning is issued.
The weather safety topics for the remainder of the week will be as follows:
Tuesday: Severe thunderstorms.
Wednesday: Severe weather preparedness and safety.
Thursday: Tornadoes.
Friday: Flooding.
Saturday: Communications.
Severe weather is a fast changing situation. Become my facebook friend here by “liking” my fan page, and "follow" me on Twitter here (@PeteWeatherBeat). For more on your weather forecast, click on “Weather” and then the “Live Triple Doppler Radar” tab on our weather page. Make sure you refresh the Doppler radar to see the very latest information, as well. Furthermore, we have our new Interactive Doppler Radar on our website. You can zoom down to street level with Interactive Doppler Radar. You are in total control of where the radar can zoom in. Give it a try. In addition, you may tune to NBC Weather Plus on Time Warner Cable digital channel 133 or over the air 3.3 to get the very latest weather updates locally and nationally.
