14 Nebraskaland • July 2020
We are well into severe weather season here in Nebraska.
Severe thunderstorms with strong winds, damaging hail,
tornados, flash flooding and lightning – all of these hazards
are common in our little continental corner of the world.
On your local news channel, or if you're like me and have
a NOAA weather radio, you have likely heard the terms
convective outlooks, watches and warnings many times
when it comes to severe weather.
Convective outlooks are issued by meteorologists at
the Storm Prediction Center, based in Norman, Oklahoma.
They determine daily which areas of the U.S. are at risk;
five categories ranging from marginal to high are used to
classify risk eight days out. As one would expect, the further
out in time, the more difficult it is to make an accurate risk
assessment. However, these outlooks tell us where to focus
our attention, and perhaps, also where to focus your camera
lens.
Watches are the next stage, and these generally cover
large multi-county areas issued hours ahead of time. When
a watch is issued, it tells you to be alert for specific hazards,
check for forecast updates and monitor the sky, and most
importantly know where to take shelter should hail, high
wind, flash flooding and/or a tornado occur. Whether on a
lake, river, pasture or forest, it is at this stage you identify
your safe place. This way, if a warning is issued, you know
where to go.
Warnings are issued by local National Weather Service
forecast offices, six of which do so for Nebraska, and
represents the time to take action. With a warning, severe
weather is either happening or imminent, and these boxes
cover a much smaller area (a few counties) and shorter
timeframe (minutes) than watches. Advanced weather apps
with radar are a good idea so you can track storm movement
and intensity as conditions can quickly change.
It is advisable to have a severe weather preparedness kit,
as you would a first aid kit. Water, nonperishable food, can
opener, flashlight, batteries, infant needs and personal hygiene
items are recommended. Part of this kit is a refresher on severe
weather terminology as preparedness is the best defense.
Martha D. Shulski, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is
the director of the Nebraska State Climate office.
OUTLOOKS, WATCHES AND WARNINGS
By Martha D. Shulski
IN THE FIELD
PHOTO
BY
JUSTIN
HAAG
