Severe Weather Awareness Week: Preparedness, Watches vs. Warnings

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – On Wednesday, Severe Weather Awareness Week transitions to the topic of preparedness.

Nebraska’s statewide tornado drill will be at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday, March 26th).

There are several ways to make sure you are prepared for inclement weather, including having an emergency supply kit.

First aid, portable chargers and important copies of personal documents are among some of the items we recommend you have ready to go when heading to shelter at home.

Another valuable tip is to always have multiple ways to hear about incoming severe weather.

A list of places to start can be found below:

Make sure your phone settings allow Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to come through, as your phone will alert you straight from the National Weather Service through your mobile provider.

The Storm Alert Team also has accounts on many of the popular social media platforms, ready to push out important information.

Preparedness also comes in knowing the terminology that weather experts use on air or online.

Do you know the difference between watches and warnings? In general, a watch is the early “heads up” that the ingredients are there for severe weather to occur. The warning will be issued as those ingredients have come together and severe weather is imminent or happening now.

***NOTE: None of the watches or warnings are currently in effect. These are all examples.***

TORNADO WATCH

A Tornado Watch means that the ingredients are there for the weather incoming to produce a tornado. At this point, meteorologists are “watch”-ing for warnings. These watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center over a large area and typically last several hours.

TORNADO WARNING

A Tornado Warning means that a tornado threat is imminent or happening now. These warnings are over a much smaller area (located around the storm) and last for less than an hour. If this warning is issued in your area, seek shelter immediately.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is when the ingredients are there for the atmosphere to produce stronger thunderstorms that would reach severe criteria (one or more: at least quarter-sized hail, at least 58 mph winds or a tornado). A watch is typically issued over a large area, and meteorologists again are “watch”-ing for warnings.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued over a specific storm with the threat of strong winds or damaging hail. If there is a tornado thought to be happening with that storm, a Tornado Warning would be issued (see above). These warnings typically last under an hour, and you should seek shelter immediately.

Meteorologist Jessica Blum 
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