Cyclone Season: The Severe Weather Forecast for Spring

Let’s face it—after a long and incredibly harsh winter, almost everyone in Shelby County is beyond ready for spring, and the amount of pollen in the air is a sign that it is finally upon us. With spring, however, comes the dreaded season of severe weather and tornado warnings. What exactly should Shelby County be expecting from the weather this spring? Ready Shelby has reviewed the forecasts and is here to give you a preview of what Mother Nature has in store.

Because the chilly temperatures stuck around for a bit longer than usual, there was a relatively high chance that the tornado count would be somewhat below normal earlier this spring. This prediction proved true, as we saw little activity throughout March; and while April has had a few cold spells and rainy days, there was no severe weather to be seen. Once May arrives, however, tornado season should be well upon us, and unfortunately, it looks as if it will be an active one that extends into June. Because of this, it is important that everyone begins preparing as soon as possible for the severe weather onslaught with the following prevention tips. 

·      Check your municipality’s website to see if it offers a severe weather alert system. These programs will send emails, text messages, and even house calls if a tornado warning becomes effective in your area, so you are in the know at all times of the day and night.

·      Purchase a weather radio. These radios are generally powered by hand cranks and not by electricity, so you can get information even if the power shuts off.

·      Build an emergency kit. This should include items such as a flashlight and batteries, a radio like the one mentioned above, bottled water, snacks, first aid items, and shoes that are easy to slip on in case of an emergency. Building a kit can be turned into a fun family project that will also teach your children the importance of being prepared for severe weather situations. If you have pets, be sure to pack some supplies for them as well. 

·      Tune into your local news station when severe weather threatens. This tip is especially for people who do not usually listen to FM radio in their cars. Your local radio station will send out a signal regularly if severe weather is in your area and are incredibly beneficial for keeping you updated, especially if you are commuting through bad weather. 

·      Subscribe to news and weather apps that will keep you informed. These apps are an easily accessed source of information when you’re on the go, and many local news stations have these available for phones and tablets.
 
If a tornado warning does go into effect, these instructions from a previous ReadyShelby blog post should keep you out of harm’s way. Most importantly, enjoy the beautiful spring weather that we all deserve after the bitter cold.