Severe weather can take many forms beyond thunderstorms. Any weather that poses a risk to life and property is considered hazardous. This includes tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, lightning, hail, strong winds, and winter storms with sleet and freezing rain. The National Weather Service issues alerts based on the risk level, such as hurricane watches and warnings, flash flood warnings, and high wind warnings. Specific criteria must be met for thunderstorms to be classified as severe, including quarter-sized hail, wind gusts of 58 mph or higher, or a tornado threat. Not all severe thunderstorm warnings are equal, with varying levels of threat based on hail size and wind speed. Similarly, tornado warnings are issued when an imminent risk is present, requiring individuals to seek shelter in a safe structure.
At times, a “tornado emergency” can be declared, signifying the most severe threat level for a tornado. This designation is made when a powerful tornado has been confirmed in the affected area, resulting in catastrophic damage. It is important for you and your family to have a preparedness plan in place and to review it regularly in preparation for severe weather events.
Chris Dolce, a senior meteorologist, has been with weather.com for over a decade, following his early career at The Weather Channel in the 2000s. Jennifer Gray, a weather and climate writer for weather.com, has been reporting on significant weather and climate events worldwide for the past twenty years.
