The National Weather Service recognizes this week as “ Severe Weather Preparedness Week .” Each day will have a different category with tips on how to prepare for the types of severe weather we see here in Georgia. Today is “ Thunderstorm Safety .”
Georgia sees around 60-70 thunderstorm days annually, so they’re a pretty common occurrence here, especially in the spring and summer months. A severe thunderstorm can produce hail of 1” or larger in diameter and 58 mph winds or greater. Winds and hail can cause a lot of damage. Damaging wind most commonly occurs in July while large hail is more common in May. A severe thunderstorm typically moves through within 30 minutes in the afternoon/evening time of the day. Supercells, which are another type of severe thunderstorm, can produce longer-duration storms and tornadoes. These are most common in the spring, but remember, severe weather is possible at any time and it is good to always be prepared for severe thunderstorms.
The best way to prepare for severe thunderstorms is to always have a plan of action in place for your family. A good plan could be to take shelter inside a sturdy building in the basement or an interior room on the lowest floor. Make sure to have multiple ways to receive alerts. Radio, TV, cell phone alerts, sirens and the NOAA Weather Radio are all good resources.