Editor’s note: April 12-16 is tornado and severe weather awareness week. In recognition, the Jefferson County Office of Emergency Management has released the following information:
Welcome to Day Two of Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week.
Tornadoes, large hail, strong winds, flooding, and lightning are all hazards associated with severe weather. Severe weather has been reported in all 50 states, so no matter where you are, make sure you are prepared.
What is a severe thunderstorm?
The National Weather Service considers a thunderstorm severe if it produces hail at least one inch in diameter, winds of 58 miles per hour or stronger, or a tornado. Despite their small size, all thunderstorms are dangerous. Every thunderstorm produces lightning, which kills more people each year than tornadoes.
A few facts
At any given moment, nearly 1,800 thunderstorms are in progress over the surface of the earth. On average, the United States gets 100,000 thunderstorms each year. Approximately 1,000 tornadoes develop from these storms. Large hail results in nearly $1 billion in damage to property and crops. Straight-line winds exceeding 100 mph are responsible for most thunderstorm damage.
How far away is the thunderstorm?
Count the number of seconds between a flash of lightning and the next clap of thunder. Divide this number by 5 to determine the distance to the lightning in miles.
Fun facts
Did you ever wonder about weather folklore? Here’s one to ponder:
“When the bees crowd out of their hive, the weather makes it good to be alive. When the bees crowd into their hive again, it is a sign of thunder and of rain.”
And here’s our weather joke:
Q: What do you call dangerous precipitation? A: A rain of terror
Lightening, curtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
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