Severe Weather

The National Weather Service uses the words advisory, watch and warning to alert you to potentially dangerous weather. Understanding these terms and knowing how to react can save lives. 

An advisory is issued when hazardous weather event is occurring, imminent or likely. Advisories are for less serious conditions than warnings that cause significant inconvenience if caution is not exercise, and can lead to situations that may threaten life or property.

A watch means conditions are favorable for dangerous weather to occur. In other words, a watch means to watch out for what the weather can do, and be ready to act accordingly. You may wish to alter or have a back-up plan for any outdoor activities or travel.

A warning means a severe weather event such as severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and flash flooding is imminent or occurring somewhere in the defined warning area and that people need to take shelter as soon as possible.

Support Links

• National Weather Service: NOAA Weather Radio
• National Weather Service: Storm Ready

Hail is a form of precipitation which consists of balls or irregular lumps of ice. It forms on condensation nuclei such as dust, insects or ice crystals when super-cooled water freezes on contact. Once a hailstone is too heavy to be supported by the storm's updraft, it falls out of the cloud. These hailstones can range from pea-sized to softball-sized clusters of ice, with large stones falling at speeds faster than 100 mph.

• Learn to recognize the weather conditions that cause hail storms.
• Listen to your NOAA Weather Radio, local news and radio stations for hail storm watches or warnings.
• If weather conditions are prime for hail storms, consider pulling property under covered areas.
• As hail is usually paired with severe thunderstorms and/or tornadoes, follow the safety procedures specified for the most severe threat.

• Seek shelter immediately. Any size hail can be dangerous in high winds.
  
• Listen to your NOAA Weather Radio, local news and radio stations for updates on weather conditions and emergency instructions.

An average of 300 people are injured and 80 people are killed each year by lightning in the United States. 

• Open areas, places near water, trees, metal fences, overhead wires or power lines, as well as elevated ground or open vehicles.
• Use of radios or cellular phones.

• The best source of information during a thunderstorm is your local news, radio stations and any NOAA Weather Radio.
• The 30/30 lightning safety rule: go indoors if, after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.

Severe thunderstorms are generally small in size affecting a limited geographical area. Each thunderstorm has the potential to produce lightning, high winds, hail and/or tornadoes. Heavy rains associated with these storms can cause localized flooding. All thunderstorms are potentially dangerous.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Be Prepared! A severe thunderstorm watch means that storms are possible in the area. Remain alert for approaching storms and have the ability to receive emergency weather notifications. 

Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Take Action! A severe thunderstorm warning means there are storms associated with severe wind and/or hail occurring in the vicinity or indicated by radar. Thunderstorms can potentially produce tornadoes.

• Move indoors and stay away from exterior walls, doors and windows.
• Hail, strong winds and flying debris can break glass and cause serious injuries.
• Lightning strikes pose significant dangers, including risk of fire, injuries and electrical damage.
• Severe thunderstorms are capable of producing tornadoes.
• Do not carry or go near anything made of metal. Lightning can also travel through landlines.
• Do not go under large trees, towers or other stand-alone structures. Tall objects attract lightning.

Tornadoes are considered to be one of the most violent types of storms with winds capable of reaching 300 miles per hour and damage paths in excess of one mile in width, forming in a matter of seconds. Familiarize yourself below with the differences between tornado watches and warnings.

Tornado Watch: Be Prepared! A tornado watch is issued when severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. It does not mean that they will occur. It only means they are possible. Severe thunderstorms include winds of 58 mph or higher and/or hail 1 inch in diameter or larger.

Tornado Warning: Take Action! A tornado warning is issued when a tornado is imminent. When a tornado warning is issued, seek safe shelter immediately.

Information on severe weather can be found by monitoring local media news sources on television, radio, online and through the ASU-Beebe Emergency Alert Notification System.

Sirens are sounded by a local authority and indicate a tornado warning. Take shelter immediately. Sirens at noon on a clear day are only a test. 

Shelter upon hearing the warning siren.

• Go to the basement or lowest floor of the building.
• Stay away from exterior walls, doors and windows.
• Move to interior hallways and small interior rooms such as bathrooms or closets.
• Get under a sturdy piece of furniture if possible.
• Call 911 if emergency help is needed.

• Check yourself and those around you for injuries.
• If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound indoors, open windows and leave the building.
• Monitor communication devices, radios and other media resources or an official "ALL CLEAR" notification from the ASU-Beebe Emergency Alert Notification System. Radio stations will broadcast what to do, the location of emergency shelters, medical aid stations and the extent of damage. 
• Evacuate damaged buildings immediately. Do not re-enter until declared safe by the authorities. 
• Call 911 only to report a life-threatening emergency.

Winter storms are known as deceptive killers because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm, such as vehicle accidents caused by winter road conditions, improper use of heaters and exposure/hypothermia. Severe winter weather includes freezing temperatures, freezing rain, ice, heavy snow and blizzards. Accumulation of ice or snow can knock down trees, power lines and structures causing power outages, utility disruptions and communication interruptions.

• Monitor local weather broadcasts and weather conditions.
• Stay indoors and minimize travel. If you must travel, drive slowly and increase distance required for stopping.
• Watch for downed trees and power lines.
• Keep a full tank to prevent ice in the tank and fuel lines.
• Never use a portable generator or operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in an enclosed space.