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PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
600 AM EDT MON APR 22 2024

...This Is Severe Weather Awareness Week...

The National Weather Service in partnership with several New York
and New England agencies including the New York State Disaster
Preparedness Commission is promoting severe weather safety for all
people.

Nationally, on average, severe weather kills 224 people per year,
including 45 from tornadoes, 104 from flooding, 53 from wind and 22
from lightning. The National Service Forecast Office on Long Island,
on average, issues 85 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, 6 Tornado
Warnings and 38 Flash Flood Warnings each year. To reduce your
chances of being killed or injured by severe weather, it is
important to understand the meaning of severe weather watches and
warnings.

Severe thunderstorms produce wind gusts of at least 58 mph, and or
hail of at least one inch in diameter, and or a tornado. Our goal is
to correctly forecast at least 87 percent of all severe
thunderstorms with an average lead time of at least 19 minutes.

Tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air in contact with the
ground and attached to the cloud base above. Our goal is to
correctly forecast at least 72 percent of all tornadoes.

Flash flooding is a rapid rise, within six hours, of water along a
stream or low lying urban area. The most common cause of flash
flooding is downpours associated with thunderstorms. Our goal is to
correctly forecast 76 percent of all flash floods with an average
lead time of 65 minutes.

A watch means severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, or flash flooding is
possible in and near the watch areas. Yous should continue with your
daily routine, but be prepared to move to a place of safety should a
warning be issued.

A warning means that severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, or flash
flooding are imminent or occurring. A warning implies a significant
threat to life and property. You should seek shelter immediately
when a warning is issued.

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards offers the best way to stay in touch
with weather conditions whether at home, work or play. It provides
continuous broadcasts of weather information, with immediate relay
of any severe weather warnings. NOAA`s National Weather Service
recommends everyone have access to a NOAA Weather Radio. For more
information on severe weather awareness, go to our web page.

Tomorrow we take a look at severe thunderstorms.

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