All clear

Posted at 8:14 AM on May 1, 2009 by Craig Edwards

Well, it really won't be all clear, but not much happening weatherwise for your first weekend in May. Temperatures will be seasonal and skies mainly dry.

I have been in some discussions lately about the activation of the sirens for all clear. The sirens are activiated for the high probability of life-threatening violent winds/tornadoes in the local community. With the Doppler radar and storm spotters working in tandem a warning is most likely issued somewhere between ten and twenty minutes before the storm arrives. In my career with the NWS, the duration of the warning was usually thirty to forty-four minutes.

Using the sirens to sound an all clear would be confusing,

Sirens signal a storm is coming. Take cover! Most importantly the sirens should prompt you to seek additional information on a portable radio, while you are in shelter. Information will be provided by the broadcaster and on NOAA Weather Radiowhen the storm has passed.

Safety officials encourage you to seek shelter if you hear a siren during severe weather. You may have to abandon your computer or television monitor. Write this down. Get yourself a battery operated AM/FM weather radio and keep it powered up as we move toward severe weather season.

CE

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