When the skies to the west darken and the temperature drops, most Midwesterners know a storm is coming. But not all thunderstorms are the same.
We spoke to experts at the National Weather Service in Valley, Neb., for some insight, and information about severe weather. Last year in Nebraska, six tornadoes were recorded in the month of May, second only to June that year for highest number.
Beyond tornadoes, severe thunderstorms can also be destructive this time of year. Below is a graphic outlining the anatomy of a thunderstorm system.
What exactly is a “severe thunderstorm”? The weather service applies specific criteria to storms of this level.
A thunderstorm is severe when it produces:
If you live in the Midwest, you’ve heard about the difference between a watch and a warning since childhood. But it’s always a good idea to refresh your knowledge about severe weather.
Laura King-Homan is the supervisor, Brand and Communication Operations, at Omaha Public Power District. She has nearly 20 years of print journalism and design experience, including the Omaha World-Herald.
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