ROANOKE, Va. – Spring officially begins on Thursday and during this new season, we often experience increased severe weather in southwest Virginia.
The statewide tornado drill that was originally scheduled for Tuesday at 9:45 a.m. has been postponed. It will be rescheduled at a later date.
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When severe weather threatens, there is often confusion on the difference between a “watch” and a “warning.” Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when conditions are favorable for the formation of severe storms. A severe thunderstorm warning will be issued when a storm has already become severe or soon will.
Tornado alerts are broken down into three categories: watch, warning and emergency. Tornado emergencies are very rare, but are among the most serious alerts ever issued by the National Weather Service.
When a tornado threatens your area, there are some safety tips recommended to keep you and your family safe. Getting away from windows and into an interior room of your house is a very smart idea when you are targeted by a twister. Also, you should cover yourself with pillows or blankets to avoid debris that may fall on top of you.
Your Local Weather Authority meteorologist Chris Michaels recently visited communities hit hard by tornadoes recently in Tennessee. You’ll hear from some of the victims, plus other severe weather preparedness stories each day this week on 10 News at 5 p.m.