This week is severe weather awareness week for South Dakota and Minnesota!
Stay tuned for daily topics through the week when you can learn more about weather safety.
On the final day of severe weather awareness week in South Dakota and Minnesota, let’s talk about extreme heat (yes, it'll happen eventually this Summer)!
Do you take extra steps when the forecast calls for excessive heat?
How do you prepare?
What are some common things to do and avoid when the temperatures rise?
Take a closer look at the steps and small actions you can take to protect yourself during excessive heat.
Do you know the signs of heat related illness?
A critical part of heat safety is knowing the signs of heat related illness.
We often talk about phrases to remember when it comes to weather safety.
“Look before you lock” is another phrase you must remember.
The inside temperatures of your vehicle can become deadly in minutes, even in low temperatures.
As we wrap up severe weather awareness week in South Dakota and Minnesota, let’s finish up today’s topic of “heat illness”.
Your pets are also impacted by rising temperatures.
Remember these tips going forward and keep them safe as well!
Communities across South Dakota and Minnesota have been impacted by tornadoes.
Use today to make an action plan and use it when tornado warnings are issued!
Of all the many dangerous weather hazards, tornadoes are one of the most powerful and destructive.
Although the details of their formation are still being researched, we do know the general steps.
Watch this video for a quick science lesson.
What’s a tornado “watch”?
What’s a tornado “warning”?
What’s a tornado “emergency”?
It’s important to know the differences as we move into severe weather season.
Tornadoes can be extremely dangerous.
Safe places include storm shelters and basements — but if not available, an interior room without windows can also be protective.
If you receive a tornado warning, take shelter immediately!
Where do you stay safe if a tornado warning is issued, and you’re not at home?
Let’s take a closer look.
As we finish up day 4 of severe weather awareness week for Minnesota and South Dakota, let's talk about a few tornado misconceptions.
A part of preparing for severe weather season is knowing that tornadoes do not obey “rules” or follow “myths”.
Flooding and flash flooding is something we’ve certainly experienced over the past years.
Are you prepared?
How do we raise the awareness of flash flood and flooding potential?
You may hear us begin talking about “excessive rainfall” outlooks. Here’s a look at what this term means to you.
6, 12, 18.
No, they aren’t random numbers, they’re researched values that show just how little water it takes to sweep you or your vehicle away.
This severe weather season, do your part and do not drive into flooded roads!
As we finish today’s discussion on flooding, let’s finish with one of the most dangerous types of flooding.
Flooding can be difficult to see during the day, it’s impossible to see at night. Remember this!
Knowing what hazards thunderstorms can bring and how to prepare for those hazards is a key element of staying safe during severe weather season.
Hail, high winds, tornadoes, flash flooding and lightning can all impact us when severe storms strike.
Here is a closer look at how to take action when these severe weather elements are possible!
When you’re at the lake and severe weather threatens, know that a camper is the last place you want to be.
Be sure to have a way to receive warnings, and know where a safe shelter is located.
Should you seek shelter from severe storms under an overpass?
NO! They are not considered safe storm shelters, and you could put yourself and others in further danger.
So, do you have a severe weather safety kit?
If not, it’s important to gather these items ahead of time and put them in a place you can get to quickly should severe weather threaten you.
In 2022, 19 people died due to lightning. DON'T BECOME A STATISTIC
When thunder roars, go indoors! #mnwx#sdwx
It doesn't take a severe thunderstorm to be a dangerous thunderstorm. All it takes is one lightning strike to become a hazardous situation for yourself or those around you.
Remember, "when thunder roars, go indoors"!
Throughout the day, we’ve talked about being weather aware and weather prepared.
As a summary of the day, here’s what these things mean to you!
Ask yourself these questions today.
1. What’s the difference between a watch and warning?
2. How will you receive a warning?
Being prepared for severe weather season means understanding your risk.
Severe weather outlooks are meant to raise your awareness to the potential of severe storms. Here is a closer look at what each outlook level means.
Do you know the differences between a severe weather watch and severe weather warning?
A watch means “be ready to take action”. A warning means “TAKE ACTION”. Here is a closer look at the differences.
There are many ways to receive weather watches and warnings.
You should not put all your eggs into one basket when it comes to being aware.
Have multiple methods of getting a warning, here are a few examples!
A great way to stay weather informed and prepared is by following your local office on Twitter.
As we continue severe weather awareness week, here are the offices that serve South Dakota.
What do you do when severe weather threatens after dark?
If storms are in the forecast, DO NOT go to bed unprepared. Have at least one source to receive warnings and alerts. Multiple sources are even better!
Some may be relying on sirens as their only way to receive weather warnings.
HOWEVER, outdoor warning sirens are only meant to warn those OUTDOORS, not INDOORS.
This is why it's critical to always have MULTIPLE ways to receive a severe weather warning.
Wireless Emergency Alerts will alert your phone if you are located in a: Tornado warning Severe t-storm warning with 80+ mph winds or 2.75" hail Did you disable this feature on your phone?
Please consider re-enabling this feature. http://ready.gov/alerts
