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000
NOUS41 KBGM 271302
PNSBGM
PAZ038>040-043-044-047-048-072-280400-

Public information Statement
National Weather Service Binghamton NY
900 AM EDT Thu Apr 27 2017

This is the fourth statement out of five information
statements providing severe weather knowledge and safety,
which will run each day this week for Pennsylvania`s Severe
Weather Awareness Week.

Over the last 20 years severe weather, not including floods,
has killed nearly 50  people in this region and caused over one
quarter of a billion dollars in damage. On average, the NWS
issues 400 severe thunderstorm warnings, 17 tornado warnings
and about 150 flash flood warnings each year in the state of
Pennsylvania. To reduce your chances of being injured by severe
weather it is important to understand the meaning of different
severe weather phenonena and the different between a watch and
a warning. Understanding the meaning of a warning and having a
plan could save your life.

Severe thunderstorms are defined as thunderstorms that produce
winds greater than 58 mph or hail of one inch in diameter or
larger. A severe thunderstorm watch means atmospheric conditions
are favorable for severe thunderstorms to develop over the next
several hours. If a watch is issued a severe thunderstorm is
expected to develop typically no more than six hours after the
issuance. After a severe thunderstorm watch has been issued,
continue on with your daily routine, but be prepared to quickly
move to a secure place of safety should a severe thunderstorm
warning be issued. A severe thunderstorm warning means that severe
thunderstorms are imminent or occurring. A warning implies
a significant threat to life and property. Seek shelter
immediately when a severe thunderstorm warning is issued.

Tornadoes are a violently rotating column of air that reaches
contact with the ground and is attached to the cloud base above.
Tornadoes can develop with all types of thunderstorms. Similar to
a severe thunderstorm watch, a tornado watch means that atmospheric
conditions are favorable for a tornado to form over the next several
hours. Tornado watches are typically issued for no more than six hours.
A tornado warning means that a tornado is imminent or occurring. A
tornado warning implies an immediate threat to life and property.
Take shelter immediately! Tornadoes can cause major damage.

Flash flooding is a rapid rise of water along a stream or low lying
urban area. It can happen in a flash! The most common culprit of
flash flooding is heavy downpours associated with thunderstorms.
A flash flood watch means that atmospheric conditions are favorable
for a flash flood to develop. When a flash flood watch is issued,
continue with your daily activities, but be prepared to take action
and head to higher ground if a flash flood warning is issued. A flash
flood warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring. Flood
waters can rise rapidly and are extremely powerful. Seek higher
ground immediately when a flash flood warning is issued.

A NOAA weather radio is the best way to find weather forecasts and
recieve weather warnings. The NOAA all hazard weather radio plays
24 hours/7 days a week. You can use your NOAA weather radio at home,
work or when at play. NOAA weather radio provides continuous
broadcasts of weather information with immediate relay of severe
weather warnings. NOAA`s NWS recommends everyone have access to
a NOAA weather radio.

Weather topics for the remainder of the week will be as follows:

Friday April 28...Severe Weather Preparedness and Safety.

For more information on weather hazards and Severe Weather Awareness
Week, please visit:

http://www.weather.gov/bgm
http://www.weather.gov/ctp/SevereWeatherAwarenessWeek

You can also contact
David Nicosia warning coordination meteorologist
at 607-770-9531 x 223 or via email at david.nicosia@noaa.gov

or

Kat Hawley
NWS Meteorologist
at 607-729-1597 x 4 or via email at katherine.hawley@noaa.gov

$$

kah