SWAW Day 1 Topic: Watches vs Warnings

03/08/2010
Monday, Day 1 Good Morning and Welcome to Day One of Severe Weather Awareness Week! Douglas County Emergency Management, Topeka National Weather Service, Kansas Emergency Management Association, and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management have joined with Governor Mark Parkinson in proclaiming March 8-12, 2010 as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Douglas County and Kansas. The number of Kansas tornadoes in 2009 was 103, this places the number of tornadoes 43 above the 1950-2009 average of 60. Over the next several days we will take a look at different severe weather threats and how you can prepare yourself and your family for the upcoming severe weather season. Severe Thunderstorm Watch or Tornado Watch A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM or TORNADO WATCH is issued by the Topeka National Weather Service when the weather conditions are such that a severe thunderstorm (damaging winds 58 miles per hour or more, hail one inch in diameter or greater, or a tornado) is likely to develop. Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado Warning A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM or TORNADO WARNING is issued when a severe thunderstorm is indicated by weather radar or a spotter reports at least 58 mph winds, 1 inch hail, or a tornado. At this point, the danger is very serious and everyone should go to a safe place, turn on a battery-operated radio or television, and wait for the "all clear".

Related Links:
Douglas County EM Website - http://douglas-county.com/depts/em/em_home.aspx
Day 1 Topic: Watches and Warnings - http://www.douglas-county.com/depts/em/preparedness/docs/pdf/severeweatherawareweek_day1.pdf

Media Contact:
Jillian Rodrigue, Assistant Director
Emergency Management Department
785-838-2459
jrodrigue@douglas-county.com