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Severe weather season roars into area

  • Published
  • By Rob Sexton
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  "2nd tornado strikes Sumter County," read the headline on Wednesday's Sumter "Item" newspaper. "The Item" quoted Steve Naglic of the National Weather Service in Columbia who said a tornado touched down on Fish Road -- about .5 mile from Shaw.

Base leaders are concerned that Shaw personnel may not understand weather warning terminology. The National Weather Service uses specific terminology to relay the weather threat to the public. In the summer, there are a variety of watches and
warnings you need to understand in order to be prepared.

The NWS explained:
  • Tornado watch: Means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop. It is normally issued for four to six hours, and includes many counties. If you are in or near the tornado watch area, stay informed via NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or television. Keep your eye on the sky, and be prepared to take cover at short notice, as tornadoes can occur with little or no warning.
  • Tornado warning: Means that a tornado has been sighted, or a developing tornado is reported by trained spotters or indicated on Doppler radar. A warning is typically issued for a small area for less than an hour. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, take cover immediately!
  • Severe thunderstorm watch: Means that conditions are favorable for thunderstorms to produce wind gusts to 58 mph or stronger or hail to .75 inch or larger in the watch area. These watches are issued for four to six hours at a time and for a number of counties.Stay informed, watch the sky, and take cover if a severe thunderstorm approaches you.
  • Severe thunderstorm warning: Means that a severe thunderstorm has been detected by radar, or by a trained spotter. Take cover if you are near the severe thunderstorm.
  • Flash flood watch: Issued when heavy rain may develop and result in flash flooding in or near the watch area.
  • Flash flood warning: Flash flooding in the warning area has developed or is imminent. Move to higher ground at once!
  • Urban and small stream flood advisory: Local flooding of small streams, streets, or low lying areas such as railroad underpasses is occurring or is imminent.