Arkansas Severe Weather Awareness Week

The severe storm season of 2019 brought with it 33 tornadoes, more than three dozen reports of thunderstorm wind gusts of 75 mph or greater, an instance of hail slightly larger than grapefruits, and hundreds of reports of flash flooding. Combined, hazardous weather resulted in five fatalities in 2019. With the 2020 spring severe weather season fast approaching, the National Weather Service, in cooperation with the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management, has designated the week of Sunday, March 1 through Saturday, March 7, as Severe Weather Awareness Week (SWAW). This safety campaign is designed to help Arkansans prepare for the spring storm season.

For Severe Weather Awareness Week 2020, the following topics will be covered, and safety tips and statistics from 2019 will be offered along the way:

Sunday: Introduction to Severe Weather Awareness Week in Arkansas.

Monday: Flooding — The difference between floods and flash floods, along with some examples.

Tuesday: Lightning — Where and when lightning tends to strike, and how often.

Wednesday: Tornadoes — The frequency of weak versus monster tornadoes, how many tornadoes are spawned each year, and a word about tornado sirens.

Thursday: Severe Thunderstorms — In addition to tornadoes, the size of hail and the strength of thunderstorm gusts to be considered severe.

Friday: Watches and Warnings — Understanding the meaning of watches and warnings, how long they are in effect, and where they originate.

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Any questions may be directed to Dennis Cavanaugh, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, by phone at 501-392-3355.

There will be postings of graphics on social media, and other websites set up in support of SWAW which you can find atweather.gov/lzk/svrbro1.htm or weather.gov/lzk/svr.htm