There has been a recent change in how the National Weather Service issues Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and we want to make sure everyone in the community is aware of this change.
Instead of all dangerous thunderstorms receiving the same type of thunderstorm warning notification, as in the past, now the most dangerous thunderstorms will include “Impact Based” warnings focusing on the expected storm impacts.
The highest level of storm categories will be those categorized as “Considerable” and/ or “Destructive.” See the posted graphic from the Topeka NWS office for full details.
Storms that are severe enough to expect those levels of damage threat will automatically trigger a WEA (Wireless Emergency Alert) issued by the National Weather Service Office.
As a reminder:
WEA is the same system used for Amber Alerts, Silver Alerts etc. The alert sent by the National Weather Service will be sent to all cell phones interacting with cell towers within the mapped polygon of concern. This means that an entire warning area may not receive the WEA notification of the dangerous storm, it will only hit cell phones located in the smaller polygon within the warning mapped area.
One example might be if the entire SW corner of Clay County is in a Severe Thunderstorm Warning and the NWS anticipates a swath of that area that includes Oak Hill and Idana will have 80 mph winds and/or baseball sized hail, cell phones in those immediate areas will get the WEA, while cell phones in Longford and Clay Center may not.
What does this mean for the public? It means that if your cell phone sounds a WEA alarm with dangerous thunderstorm information you are possibly in danger and should seek shelter immediately.
This alert should not be confused with regular weather notification apps that you may have downloaded on your phone to alert you to weather watches and warnings. The distinctive WEA alert message for a tornado or dangerous thunderstorm means only one thing: you are in close proximity to a dangerous storm and should take immediate action to stay safe.
This change should not cause issues of over-warnings occurring. While severe thunderstorm warnings can seem to be a frequent event in our state, storms that reach the “Considerable / Destructive” defined categories happen infrequently each year in Kansas and affect relatively small areas.
This change has already been implemented. Please share the information with those in your family and friends circle that need the information.
Thanks in advance for helping to share this information.
Original source can be found here
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