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April 7-11 is Severe Weather Awareness Week. It’s a time where we help educate the public about severe weather preparedness, safety and the importance of weather awareness. Let’s take a closer look at weather alerts and warnings. 

When severe weather strikes we rely on multiple ways to keep us informed. One of many ways to stay informed is by making sure wireless emergency alerts are enabled on your phone. These alerts are emergency messages sent through your mobile carrier by authorized government alerting authorities. 

According to the National Weather Service in Chanhassen, these alerts are “sent for all Tornado Warnings, Flash Flood Warnings with a considerable or catastrophic tag, and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings with a destructive tag (baseball size hail or 80 mph winds).”

Weather radios are another essential tool for severe weather preparedness. One of the key reasons to own one is to receive real-time updates on hazardous weather conditions, ensuring you stay informed and safe. Some models of weather radios can be programmed to alert you of incoming severe weather, even when the volume is turned off. 

Severe weather doesn't always occur during the day — it can strike at night when you're asleep. A weather radio is especially useful during these times to ensure you'll wake up and stay informed during dangerous weather events.

As always, you can tune into MPR News and visit our Updraft blog for regular severe weather updates from Paul, Sven and myself. 

It is important to know that counties and cities are responsible for their own sirens and determine how and when to activate them. The National Weather Service does not activate these sirens. 

Policies regarding siren activation vary across different cities and counties. Some activate sirens only for tornado warnings countywide, while others sound them for both tornado warnings and all severe thunderstorm warnings. Certain areas may activate sirens for tornado warnings and severe thunderstorms with winds reaching at least 70 or 80 mph. Additionally, some counties activate sirens only in specific areas, and local officials may choose to sound the sirens whenever they believe severe weather poses a threat, even without a National Weather Service warning. Sirens normally sound for about two to three minutes and then go silent.

Check with your local public safety officials to find out when and why warning sirens are activated in your community.

It is important to know the difference between a watch and a warning when it comes to severe weather. Understanding this difference helps you respond appropriately and stay safe during severe weather events.

A watch is issued when conditions are favorable for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms or flash floods. If you're in a watch area, you can continue with normal activities, but it's important to stay alert and make plans to seek shelter if necessary.

Warnings are issued when severe weather has been reported or is imminent. If you're in or near the path of the storm, seek shelter immediately. Warnings are issued by county and city names, so it's important to know the name of the county you live in or are visiting and the surrounding cities.

Mandy Thalhuber

Author

April 7-11 is Severe Weather Awareness Week. It’s a time where we help educate the public about severe weather preparedness, safety and the importance of weather awareness. Let’s take a closer look at weather alerts and warnings. 


National Weather Service

Minnesota Department of Public Safety

Chief meteorologist Paul Huttner's weather radio

Paul Huttner

A graphic with a taco watch and a taco warning graphic.

Severe Weather Awareness Week: Weather alerts and warnings

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