We’re a week into spring now and with the change of seasons, Nebraskans know it also means changing weather and sometimes, severe weather.
Meteorologist Mindy Beerends, at the National Weather Service, says this is Severe Weather Awareness Week. There’s a different theme each day and today’s focus is on severe thunderstorms.
“Tuesday, it’s how to receive warning information,” Beerends says. “Wednesday, information about tornadoes. Thursday, it’s preparedness and families, what they can do to prepare for severe weather, and Friday, we’ll be looking at flooding.”
Nebraska averages about 50 tornadoes a year and the peak months for twisters are May and June. The most the state’s ever had in one year was 110 tornadoes in 2004. Beerends says there will be a statewide tornado drill on Wednesday.
“If there’s no severe weather occurring or expected that day, the Weather Service will conduct a tornado drill between 10 and 11 AM,” Beerends says. “We’re really just trying to get everybody to ensure they can receive a tornado warning and also practice any actions that you would take in the event of a real tornado.”
Learn more about Severe Weather Awareness at www.weather.gov.