National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Weather-Ready Nation

National Program

Summer 2018: Thunderstorm Social Media

Weather.gov > Weather-Ready Nation > Summer 2018: Thunderstorm Social Media

Back to Social Media

Social Media: Thunderstorm Safety
#SummerSafety

 

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 Types (Video)

Facebook
Did you know there are different types of thunderstorms? youtu.be/NNrb0hI5JD4 #ThunderstormScience

Twitter
Did you know there are different types of thunderstorms? youtu.be/NNrb0hI5JD4 #ThunderstormScience

 

Dry Thunderstorms Can Cause Wildfires

Facebook
"Dry thunderstorms" is a phrase used to describe thunderstorms that produce little or no precipitation at the surface. The "drier" the thunderstorm, when combined with dry vegetation (or fuel), the more efficient it is in terms of fire ignitions by cloud to ground lightning. Read more at weather.gov/abq/clifeature2010drythunderstorms and stay #WeatherReady

Twitter
"Dry thunderstorms" (that produce little or no precipitation at the surface), when combined with dry vegetation (or fuel), can cause wildfires. Read more at weather.gov/abq/clifeature2010drythunderstorms and 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?

Facebook
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. Some of the largest hailstones ever recorded are the size of softballs! http://www.weather.gov/jetstream/hail #ThunderstormScience

Twitter
Hail forms when thunderstorm updrafts (or rising air) carry raindrops upward into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere. http://www.weather.gov/jetstream/hail #ThunderstormScience

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

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

Twitter

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

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

Facebook
A severe thunderstorm WATCH means BE PREPARED. When there is a severe thunderstorm watch pay extra close attention to the weather and be ready to act. Strong, damaging winds and/or large hail are possible. Preparing ahead of time helps save lives! weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm-ww #SummerSafety

Twitter
A severe thunderstorm Watch means BE PREPARED. Preparation helps to save lives! weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm-ww #SummerSafety

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

Facebook
Thunderstorms can be a mariner's worst nightmare. They can develop quickly and can produce strong wind, pounding rain, deadly lightning, and 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 #SummerSafety

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

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.

 

Damaging Hail

Facebook
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 7.9 inches! Find shelter, stay indoors, and stay away from windows. weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm #SummerSafety

Twitter
Severe thunderstorms can produce damaging hail! weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm #SummerSafety

Thunderstorms can produce damaging hail. Did you know? The largest hail stone recorded in the US measured 7.9 inches! A 3 inch hailstone can fall to the ground as fast as 107 miles per hour. Find shelter, stay indoors, and stay away from windows!

 

On the Lake

Facebook
Heading out for a day of fun on the lake? Watch out for thunderstorms! 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 #SummerSafety

Twitter
Heading out for a day of fun on the lake? Watch out for thunderstorms! weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm #SummerSafety

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

Facebook
Spending time outdoors? Watch out for thunderstorms! Be aware of the 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 #SummerSafety

Twitter
Spending time outdoors? Watch out for thunderstorms! weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm #SummerSafety

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

Facebook
Thunderstorms can produce heavy rain, which can 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 #SummerSafety

Twitter
Thunderstorms can lead to flooding. Never drive through flood waters. weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm #SummerSafety

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!

 

Camping Safety

Facebook
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 #SummerSafety

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

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.

 

Hail Size

Facebook
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 7.9 inches! Find shelter, stay indoors, and stay away from windows. weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm #SummerSafety

Twitter
Severe thunderstorms can produce damaging hail! weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm #SummerSafety
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

Facebook
It is very important to have a disaster supply kit ready when severe weather strikes. Pack food and water, a battery powered radio, flashlights and batteries, a cell phone with a spare battery pack, a first aid kit, a pair of shoes, a list of emergency contacts, and a whistle to signal for help. weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm #SummerSafety

Twitter
It’s important to have a disaster supply kit ready in case of thunderstorms. weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm #SummerSafety
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. )

 

Thunderstorm Watch vs. Warning

Facebook
A severe thunderstorm WATCH means BE PREPARED. A severe thunderstorm WARNING means TAKE ACTION. If there is a severe thunderstorm watch, stay informed and be ready to act, because severe thunderstorms are possible. If there is a severe thunderstorm warning, take shelter in a strong building, and get out of mobile homes that can blow over in high winds. Severe weather is occurring or will shortly. weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm-ww #SummerSafety

Twitter
Watch means BE PREPARED. Warning means TAKE ACTION. weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm-ww #SummerSafety

Know the difference between a severe thunderstorm watch and warning. Watch: be prepared... severe weather is possible (1. Check for forecast updates. 2. Monitor sky conditions. 3.Know where to take shelter.) Warning - take action! Severe weather is imminent (1. Take shelter immediately. 2. Seek further information. 3. Check for forecast updates). Be weather-ready.

 

Understanding Severe Weather Outlooks

Facebook
Do you know your risk for severe weather? See the severe weather outlooks issued by the Storm Prediction Center @NWSSPC http://www.spc.noaa.gov #SummerSafety

Twitter
Know your risk for severe weather? See the Storm Prediction Center @NWSSPC http://www.spc.noaa.gov #SummerSafety

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?

Facebook
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 #SummerSafety

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