It is Ohio’s Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week, this year running March 20-26. Throughout this week, Case Western Reserve University’s Office of Resiliency will provide important information and suggestions on preparing for inclement weather in Ohio.
During the spring, there is an increased possibility of flooding, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, along with high winds, hail and lightning. And though tornadoes can occur at any time, they are more common in late spring and early summer.
To help better prepare for these events, familiarize yourself with some common terms and alerting systems.
Spring and summer severe/hazardous weather terms
The National Weather Service (NWS) is responsible for issuing severe weather watches, warnings and advisories to alert the public when dangerous weather conditions are expected. So what do each of these terms mean?
- Watch: Weather conditions exist for a dangerous weather event
- Warning: A dangerous weather event is imminent. Immediate action must be taken to protect life and property
- Advisory: Conditions that are less serious than a warning. These events may cause a significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to a situation that may be threatening to life and property
Learn more about spring and summer severe/hazardous weather terms.
Emergency alerts
When emergencies strike, public safety officials use timely and reliable systems to alert you. Here are different warning alerts you can get:
- Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA): Short emergency messages from authorized authorities that can broadcast from cell towers to WEA-enabled mobile devices
- Emergency Alert System (EAS): National warning system that allows the president to address the nation during an emergency
- NOAA Weather Radio (NWR): Nationwide radio station that broadcasts weather information based on your location
Get more information about emergency alerts.
As always, it’s important to make sure your contact information is up to date in Case Western Reserve University’s Rave emergency communications system so we can contact you in the event of an emergency—whether severe weather or otherwise. Check your contact information today.