Severe Weather Terms

• A Watch means conditions are favorable for severe weather in your area.

• Warning means severe weather is already occurring or will occur soon in your area.

• Watches and Warnings are issued for thunderstorms, floods, flash floods and tornadoes. If a warning is issued, move to your basement or a safe area in your home and turn on the local news or your weather radio for further instructions.

• Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are imminent. This is your best way to avoid being caught in a dangerous situation.

• Warning Sirens: In each County the outdoor warning sirens will sound a steady tone for five (5) minutes when a Tornado Warning or a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued.

Prepare a Family Disaster Plan

• Keep insurance policies, documents and other valuables in a safe place.
• Purchase a weather radio for your home to warn you of impending severe weather.
• Assemble a disaster supplies kit containing: first aid kit, non-perishable canned food and hand-operated can opener, bottled water, sturdy shoes, work gloves, battery powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries, special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.
• Also include in the kit written instructions on how to turn off your home's utilities.
• Family Plan [more]

Lightning Tips

• If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to a storm to be struck by lightning. Get to safe shelter immediately.

• Move to a sturdy building or car with a hard top. Do not take shelter in small sheds, under isolated trees or in convertible automobiles.

• Get out of boats and away from water. DO NOT take a bath or shower.

• Thunderstorm [more]

Tornado Tips

• Move to a shelter, such as a basement. If underground shelter is not available, move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture.

• Stay away from windows.

• If you are in a car, never try to outrun a tornado. If caught outside or in a vehicle, leave your car and lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression (not a storm ditch).

• Mobile homes should be abandoned as they offer little protection. Move to a nearby shelter.

• Tornado [more]

Flash Flood Tips

• Know your area's flood risk. Keep your car fueled; if electricity is cut off, gas stations may not be able to operate pumps for days.

• If roads are closed due to flooding, DO NOT go around roadblocks, and DO NOT attempt to drive through flooded streets. Road closings are for your safety.

• Never cross a road covered with water.

• Flooding [more]

What should be in your Disaster Supplies Kit?

Winter Weather Terminology

Winter Storm Watch - Alerts the public to the potential for blizzard conditions, heavy snow, significant icing, or a combination of these events. Watches are usually issued 12 to 36 hours before the beginning of the winter storm.

Winter Storm Warning - Issued when a combination of heavy snow, heavy freezing rain or sleet is expected to occur. Winter storm warnings are usually issued to 6 to 24 hours before the event is expected to begin.

Heavy Snow - Six inches or more or snow in 24 hours or less across northern Ohio. Five inches or more of snow in 24 hours across southern Ohio.

Significant Icing - Ice accumulation of ¼ inch or more from freezing rain, an accumulation or ½ inch or more of sleet, or a combination of freezing rain and sleet.

Sleet - Solid grains of ice formed as rain freezes before reaching the ground.

Freezing Rain - Rain that falls on surface with a temperature below freezing causing it to freeze to surfaces forming a coating or glaze of ice.

Blizzard Warning - Sustained or gusty winds of 35 MPH or more and falling or blowing snow creating visibilities below ¼ of a mile. Blizzard conditions should be expected for at least 3 hours.

Snow Advisory - Issued when 4 inches of snow is expected to fall, within 24 hours, over a large part of northern Ohio. When 3 inches of snow is expected to fall, within 24 hours, over a large part of southern Ohio.

Blowing and Drifting Snow Advisory - Issued when blowing snow will restrict visibility to an eighth of a mile or less and cause significant drifting snow.

Wind Chill Advisory - Issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to be between    (-20) and (-34) degrees Fahrenheit.

Wind Chill Warning - Issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to be less than   (-34) Fahrenheit.

Winter Weather Advisory - Issued for accumulations of snow, freezing rain, freezing drizzle and sleet, which will cause significant inconvenience and moderately dangerous.

Dense Fog Advisory - Issued when widespread fog will reduce visibility to 1/8 mile or less.