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Spring Social Media: Thunderstorm Safety

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Social Media: Thunderstorm Safety
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Please help the National Weather Service spread these important safety messages on social media! Everyone is welcome to use the text and images provided below to help the NWS build a Weather-Ready Nation.

Thunderstorm Watch vs. Warning

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A severe thunderstorm WARNING means TAKE ACTION: take shelter in a strong building, because severe weather is occurring or will occur shortly. A severe thunderstorm WATCH means BE PREPARED: stay informed and be ready to act, because severe thunderstorms are possible. weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm-ww

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A Severe Thunderstorm Warning means TAKE ACTION. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means BE PREPARED. weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm-ww #WeatherReady

Thunderstorm Warning: A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued when a severe storm is happening or imminent. Take shelter immediately! Check for forecast updates. Thunderstorm Watch: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued when severe storms are possible. Stay tuned to forecast updates and monitor sky conditions. Know where to take shelter.

 

Camping Safety

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Going camping? Watch out for thunderstorms! Know your weather forecast, and notify your family or friends of your plans. Have an evacuation plan and know where you can find shelter. Make sure to pack a safety kit and a radio for forecast updates. weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm

Twitter
Going camping? Watch out for thunderstorms! weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm #WeatherReady

Camping Safety - preparing for weather: Know your weather forecast. Notify family/friends of your plans. Have an evacuation plan, know where and how fast you can find shelter. Pack a safety kit and weather radio.

 

Understanding Severe Weather Outlooks

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Do you know the risk categories for severe weather? Learn the severe weather outlooks issued by the Storm Prediction Center @NWSSPC spc.noaa.gov

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Know your risk for severe weather? See the Storm Prediction Center @NWSSPC spc.noaa.gov #WeatherReady

Understanding Severe Weather Outlooks - issued by the Storm Prediction Center. THUNDERSTORMS (no label - winds to 40 mph / small hail): No severe thunderstorms expected. Lightning/flooding threats exist with all thunderstorms. 1-MARGINAL (MRGL - winds 40-60 mph / hail up to 1 inch / low tornado risk): Isolated severe thunderstorms possible. Limited in duration and/or coverage and/or intensity. 2-SLIGHT (SLGT - one or two tornadoes / reports of strong winds, wind damage / hail 1 inch in general, 2 inches isolated): Scattered severe storms possible. Short-lived and/or not widespread, isolated intense storms possible. 3-ENHANCED (ENH - a few tornadoes / several reports of wind damage / damaging hail, 1-2 inches): Numerous severe storms possible. More persistent and/or widespread, a few intense 4-MODERATE (MDT - strong tornadoes / widespread wind damage / destructive hail, 2 inches plus): Widespread severe storms likely. Long-lived, widespread and intense 5-HIGH (HIGH - tornado outbreak / derecho): Widespread severe storms expected. Long-lived, very widespread and particulary intense.

 

What are the Hazards of Severe Weather?

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Tornadoes, large hail, strong winds, heavy rain, and lightning are all hazards associated with severe weather. Severe weather has been reported in all 50 states, so no matter where you are, make sure you are prepared! weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm

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Severe weather can occur anywhere. Wherever you are, be prepared! weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm #WeatherReady

Understanding Severe Weather Hazards: TORNADO - tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air that can destroy buildings and cause significant injury or death. ACTION: Take shelter immediately in a sturdy structure. LARGE HAIL - hail can damage vehicles, crops, buildings, and cause injuries. ACTION: Move indoors away from windows. STRONG WIND - strong wind can knock over trees and damage buildings. ACTION: Move indoors away from windows. HEAVY RAIN - Heavy rain can cause flash flooding. ACTION: Avoid rising creeks and water-covered roads. LIGHTNING - Lightning strikes can cause significant injury or death. ACTION: Move indoors if you hear thunder.

 

Thunderstorm Types (Video)

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Did you know there are different types of thunderstorms? Watch this video and learn what they are: youtu.be/NNrb0hI5JD4

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Did you know there are different types of thunderstorms? Watch this video and learn what they are: youtu.be/NNrb0hI5JD4

 

Dry Thunderstorms Can Cause Wildfires

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"Dry thunderstorms" are thunderstorms that produce little or no precipitation at the surface. In combination with dry fuels (i.e. vegetation), dry thunderstorms can ignite fires with lightning, but won’t provide much rain to put the fires out. Therefore, dry thunderstorms are a factor in fire weather forecasts. weather.gov/abq/clifeature2010drythunderstorms

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"Dry thunderstorms" (which produce little or no precipitation at the surface), when combined with dry vegetation, can ignite wildfires. weather.gov/abq/clifeature2010drythunderstorms
Please remember to stay #WeatherReady!

Dry thunderstorms can cause wildfires. They are storms with little to no rain at the surface. Their interaction with dry vegetation or fuel can cause wildfires. Stay weather-ready

 

How Does Hail Form?

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Hail forms when updrafts (or rising air) in thunderstorms carry raindrops upward into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere, allowing the raindrops to freeze. The stronger the updraft, the bigger the hailstone can become before falling out of the storm (typically when the hailstone becomes too heavy for the updraft). The largest hailstone in diameter was 8 inches, which fell in Vivian, SD on July 23, 2010. weather.gov/jetstream/hail

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Hail is precipitation that forms when thunderstorm updrafts (or rising air) carry raindrops upward into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere, where the raindrops freeze into hailstones. Big updrafts result in big hail. weather.gov/jetstream/hail #WeatherReady

How Does Hail Form? Updrafts carry water drops to very cold air. This allows the raindrop to freeze. The stronger the updraft, the bigger the hailstone can become.

 

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

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A severe thunderstorm WARNING means TAKE ACTION. Strong, damaging winds and/or large hail are occurring or will occur shortly. When a severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for your area, move inside a sturdy structure immediately and stay away from windows and doors. Acting early helps save lives! weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm-ww

Twitter

A severe thunderstorm WARNING means TAKE ACTION and seek shelter! weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm-ww #WeatherReady

Severe thunderstorm warning means take action: damaging winds and large hail are expected. Take shelter indoors immediately. Use caution while driving. Check forecast updates. Stay weather-ready.

 

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

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A severe thunderstorm WATCH means BE PREPARED for the potential of strong, damaging winds and/or large hail typically within the next 3-7 hours of the watch issuance. When there is a severe thunderstorm watch, pay extra close attention to the weather and be ready to act. Preparing ahead of time helps save lives! weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm-ww

Twitter
A severe thunderstorm Watch means BE PREPARED. Large hail and/or damaging wind is possible over the next few hours. Preparation helps save lives! weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm-ww #WeatherReady

Severe thunderstorm watch means be prepared: damaging wind and large hail are possible. Have a way to receive weather warnings. Check for forecast updates. Have a shelter planned. Stay weather-ready

 

Thunderstorms for Mariners

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Thunderstorms can be a mariner's worst nightmare. They can develop quickly and can produce strong wind, pounding rain, deadly lightning, and damaging hail with very few places for shelter. Even marginal thunderstorm winds can capsize certain boats and other floating vessels. If you are out on the open water and see clouds quickly growing in the distance, it may be thunderstorms that are developing. Don’t wait until you can hear thunder or see lightning. It is best to head to port or safe shelter at the first sign of a developing storm. weather.gov/safety/safeboating-during

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Boaters: When storms start to form, head to port or safe shelter immediately! weather.gov/safety/safeboating-during #WeatherReady

Get to safety if the weather looks threatening. Thunderstorms pose a hazard to mariners. They bring dangerous wind and lightning. Head to land at the first sign of a storm.

 

On the Lake

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Heading out for a day of fun on the lake? Pay attention to thunderstorm development! Make sure to check the forecast before heading out, and have a portable radio in the boat to get the latest forecasts. If the skies turn threatening, head to shore! weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm

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Heading out for a day of fun on the lake? Be mindful of developing thunderstorms! weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm #WeatherReady

Weather safety on the lake: Know the forecast before heading out. Have a portable weather radio or an AM/FM radio in the boat. If skies turn threatening, head to shore.

 

Spending Time Outdoors

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Spending time outdoors? Be on the lookout for thunderstorms! Keep up with the latest NWS forecast before you head out, and know how you will receive a thunderstorm warning if one is issued. Identify where the nearest shelter is located, and if the skies turn threatening, seek shelter immediately. weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm

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Spending time outdoors? Keep a look out for thunderstorms! weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm #WeatherReady

Spending time outdoors? Be aware of the forecast before you head out. Known how you will receive a warning if one is issued. Know where the nearest shelter is located. When action needs to be taken, don't wait!

 

Heavy Rain

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Thunderstorms can produce heavy rain, which may lead to flooding. Watch out for water of an unknown depth - it only takes 6 inches of flowing water to knock over a person, and 12 inches to carry away a car. If you can’t see the road, Turn Around Don’t Drown! weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm

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Thunderstorms can lead to flooding. Never drive through flood waters. Turn Around Don’t Drown! weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm #WeatherReady

Thunderstorms can produce heavy rain. Don't drive through moving or standing water. It only takes 6 inches of flowing water to sweep you off your feet. If you can't see the road, turn around - don't drive around barricades!

 

Hail Size

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Did you know that a 3-inch hailstone can fall to the ground as fast as 107 mph? The largest hailstone on record in the US measured 8 inches in diameter! Find shelter, stay indoors, and stay away from windows when severe weather strikes. weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm

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Severe thunderstorms can produce damaging hail! weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm #WeatherReady
Hail Size Chart - while the National Weather Service encourages the actual measurements of hail size, oftentimes, an object-to-size conversion can provide important information about hail that fall from thunderstorms. Below you will find a list of common objects used to describe the diameter of observed hail. Pea: 0.25 inches. Penny: 0.75 inches. Quarter: 1.00 inches. Ping pong ball: 1.50 inches. Gold ball: 1.75 inches. Lime: 2.00 inches. Tennis Ball: 2.50 inches. Baseball: 2.75 inches. Softball: 4:00 inches. Grapefruit: 4.50 inches. weather.gov

 

Disaster Supply Kit

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It is extremely important to have a disaster supply kit ready before severe weather strikes. Pack food and water, a battery powered radio, flashlights and batteries, a cell phone with a spare battery pack (or a portable charger/power bank), a first aid kit, a pair of shoes/socks, a list of emergency contacts, and a whistle (to signal for help). weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm

Twitter
It is important to have a disaster supply kit ready in case of thunderstorms. weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm #WeatherReady
Disaster Supply Kit: Food and water. Battery powered weather radio. Flashlights and batteries. Cell phone (with charger or spare battery pack. First aid kit. Pair of shoes. List of emergency contacts. Whistle to signal for help. )