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NOUS41 KALY 221200
PNSALY
800 AM EDT Mon Apr 22 2024

...Severe Weather Awareness Week Continues...

April 21 to April 27 is Severe Weather Awareness Week in New York
and New England.

Eastern New York and western New England get their share of severe
weather. In an average year, about nine tornadoes occur in New York,
another eight occur across New England, and hundreds of severe
thunderstorms rumble across the Northeast. Today we review severe
weather terms and definitions.

Severe thunderstorms are defined as those thunderstorms that produce
winds of 58 mph or greater and or hail of one inch in diameter or
larger. A severe thunderstorm watch means that severe thunderstorms
are possible over the next several hours. You should continue with
your daily routine, but be prepared to move to a place of safety
should a severe thunderstorm warning be issued. A severe
thunderstorm warning means that severe thunderstorms are imminent or
occurring. You should seek shelter immediately when a severe
thunderstorm warning is issued.

Tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air in contact with the
ground and attached to the cloud base above. Like a severe
thunderstorm watch, a tornado watch means that tornadoes are
possible over the next several hours. A tornado warning means that a
tornado is imminent or occurring. When a warning is issued, take
shelter in a basement or interior room immediately.

Flash flooding is a rapid rise of water along a stream, or in a low
lying or urban area. The most common cause of flash flooding is
downpours from thunderstorms. A flash flood watch means that
conditions are favorable for flash flooding. Continue with your
daily activities, but be prepared to avoid low-lying areas when a
flash flood warning is issued. A flash flood warning means that
flooding is imminent or occurring. Flood waters can rise rapidly.
Seek high ground immediately when a flash flood warning is issued.

The National Weather Service issues severe thunderstorm, tornado and
flash flood warnings for small areas likely to be impacted by the
storm. This method narrows the area for which a warning is valid,
eliminating unnecessary alerting where no threat exists.

NOAA Weather Radio offers one way to receive immediate relay of
severe weather warnings. Many local television and radio stations
also broadcast weather alerts. Computers and wireless devices can
also receive warnings.

Finally, help make the United States a weather ready nation. Share
this information with everyone you know.

Tomorrow we will discuss severe thunderstorms.

$$
NWS Albany