Severe Weather Kim Penney September 30,2010 Science Fair Open House All are Welcome October 20, 2010 Gymnasium Fremont Elementary Waupaca, WI Watches Watches are issued when conditions are favorable for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms or flash floods. If you are in a "watch" area, continue with normal activities, but also make plans to seek shelter if necessary. Warnings Warnings are issued when severe weather has been reported or is imminent. Seek shelter immediately if you are in or near the path of the storm. Know the name of the county you live in and the cities around you; warnings are issued by county names, city names and well-known landmarks. You should know what actions to take to protect yourself, family, pets and property against severe weather. BE PREPARED! Are you prepared for severe weather? Do you have a safety plan? Planning is your best defense for dangerous weather. It's what you do before storms are even on the horizon that can make the difference between life and death.

Tornado watch -- Conditions are favorable to the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area. Tornado warning -- A tornado has been sighted by spotters or indicated on radar and is occurring or about to happen in the warning area. Tornado Watches & Warnings Thunderstorms that precede a cold front are generally stronger and more likely to reach severe proportions than localized thunderstorms associated with tropical air masses. A few things must happen in the earth's atmosphere in order for a thunderstorm to become severe. Severe thunderstorm watch -- Conditions are conducive to the development of severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Severe thunderstorm warning -- A severe thunderstorm has been observed by spotters or indicated on radar, and is occurring or imminent in the warning area. Severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes or cause damage from their strong wind gusts and/or hail. By definition, a severe thunderstorm is a thunderstorm that contains any one or more of the following three weather conditions: Hail that is 3/4 of an inch or greater in diameter Winds 58 miles per hour or greater Tornadoes Winter storm watches, warnings, and advisories are issued by local National Weather Service Forecast offices. Winter weather advisory -- When a significant winter storm or hazardous winter weather is occurring, about to happen, and is an inconvenience. Winter storm watch -- A significant winter weather (i.e., heavy snow, heavy sleet, significant freezing rain, or a combination of events) is expected, but not about to happen, for the watch area; provides 12 to 36 hours notice of the possibility of severe winter weather. Winter storm warning -- A significant winter storm or hazardous winter weather is occurring, forthcoming, or likely, and is a threat to life and property. Blizzard warning -- Winds that are at least 35 mph or greater, blowing snow that will frequently reduce visibility to 1/4 mile or less for at least three hours, and dangerous wind chills are expected in the warning area. Wind chill index -- The calculation of temperature that takes into consideration the effects of wind and temperature on the human body. This is not the actual air temperature, but what it feels like to the average person. Winter Watches & Warnings Thunderstorm Watches & Warnings If a flash flood warning has been issued for your area, act immediately! You may only have seconds before flood waters appear. Read though the list of flood safety rules below. Flash Flood warning -- If you are outdoors and a flash flood is likely, get to higher ground immediately! Get out of places that are likely to flood, like canyons, ditches, and dry stream beds. Avoid already flooded areas. Never attempt to cross running flood water. If you're in a car during a flood, never drive through flooded roadways! Turn around and go another way. Read "Floods and Cars" on the right to see what flood waters can do to your car. If you car stalls, leave it immediately and get to higher ground. Be especially careful at night when it's harder to see flood dangers. Flash Flood Warnings