Severe weather preparedness week continues in Illinois, reminding us
that this week is a good time to review our severe weather plan, or put
one in place if we don't have one already. When the threat for severe
weather occurs, it's important to know the difference between a watch
and a warning. A watch means severe weather is possible and conditions
in the atmosphere are favorable for severe weather, but it's not
occurring yet. You need to remain alert for quickly changing weather
conditions. A severe thunderstorm watch or tornado watch is often times
issued hours in advance of potential severe weather. A warning means
severe weather is either going to occur, or is occurring already, in
your area and you need to take shelter immediately - take action.
Sometimes these can be issued 20 minutes before the storm arrives, or
only a few minutes before the storm moves in.
Severe weather season is just getting started in the United States and
will begin to ramp up in Illinois within the next month or two.
Climatologically, the months of April, May and June are our peak severe
weather season in northern Illinois, with the most tornadoes reported
during that three month period. However, tornadoes can occur during any
month and that's why it's so important to have a severe weather plan in
place. For more information on severe weather preparedness, visit the
Chicago National Weather Service.
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