Weather for Kids

Subject: Severe Weather Awareness Week

The week of April 2-6, is Severe Weather Awareness Week for western Montana and north central Idaho. The National Weather Service in Missoula provides this announcement as a public service, to encourage early preparation for the weather effects of spring and summer storms. Severe Weather Awareness Week is the time to plan ahead so you can protect yourself, your family, and your property from weather events we may encounter in the coming months.

Spring and summer storms bring the potential for severe and damaging weather, such as lightning, hail, strong winds, flooding, and even tornadoes. Every spring the National Weather Service provides your community with safety tips and information about these severe weather events.

Lightning is a common, yet dangerous product of a thunderstorm. Lightning can strike at any time and kills more people in Montana during the months of June and July than any other time of the year. If you hear thunder, you should move to an indoor location immediately. Avoid using electrical appliances and only use the telephone in emergencies. If a safe, enclosed shelter is not available and you are caught outside during a lightning storm, get away from water, metal objects and tall trees. Crouch low to the ground.

Did you know that flooding is the number one weather-related killer? Excessive rainfall, especially when combined with rapid snowmelt, can create dangerous flooding. Thunderstorms produce flash flooding when very heavy rain falls in a short period of time. Flash floods occur quickly and inundate streets with rapidly moving water. You should never walk or drive a car into the flood waters. Instead, turn around or abandon your car and move to higher ground. Even six inches of fast moving water can knock an adult off their feet and two feet of water will carry away most automobiles.

Tornadoes are infrequent in Montana, but they can occur during a severe thunderstorm. A tornado warning will be issued when a tornado has been spotted or it is highly likely to develop. You should take cover as quickly as possible. The safest location is in the basement or the lowest level of a house, preferably in an interior room, like a bathroom, hallway or closet. If you are outside and a tornado is approaching, lie flat in a ditch or depression and cover your head to protect yourself from flying objects.

Large hail and strong winds can also occur with severe thunderstorms. Wind blown debris, falling branches or trees, and hail stones can all be extremely dangerous.

The best safety tip during the severe weather season is to always be prepared, and stay informed of the latest weather forecasts, watches, and warnings. In this manner, you and your family can reduce the risk of being in a threatening weather situation.