Officials to test notification and warning systems to prepare for severe weather season Published April 22, 2013 GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Emergency Management officials here will test the base's notification and warning systems this week in advance of the upcoming severe thunderstorm/tornado season. Officials will test the alert systems - to include broadcasting over the base loudspeaker system - between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. on April 24. The schedule is: 9 a.m. - Severe thunderstorm watch announcement 10 a.m. - Severe thunderstorm warning announcement 11:30 a.m. - Tornado watch announcement 12:30 p.m. - Tornado warning announcement (a steady tone) The following information is provided by the Emergency Management Flight: Thunderstorms Thunderstorms are generated by temperature imbalances in the atmosphere. The basic ingredients for creating a thunderstorm are moist, unstable air and lift. Thunderstorms can occur all year, and at all hours. They are likely to happen in the spring and summer during the afternoon and evening time. The typical thunderstorm is 15 miles in diameter and lasts approximately 30 minutes. Strong winds, hail and tornadoes are also dangers involving some thunderstorms. Thunder and lightning in some cases can come with a snowstorm. Know the Terms Severe thunderstorm watch - Issued when conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms Severe thunderstorm warning - Issued when There is a significant danger for the warned area Safety Tips Learn about the local community emergency warning system for severe thunderstorms. Discontinue use of phones and electrical equipment. Avoid taking a shower or bath. If lightning strikes your house, it may send a current of electricity through the metal plumbing of your house. If outdoors, seek shelter from sturdy buildings. Stay away from windows and if possible go to the center of the building or a basement for a possible tornado that might develop. Avoid metal and water; it is an excellent conductor of electricity. Have a safety kit available if power does go out. A hand cranked radio and flashlight are some good items to have Tornadoes A tornado is a violent windstorm characterized by a twisting, tunnel-shaped cloud. It is spawned by a thunderstorm (or sometimes as a result of a hurricane) and produced when cool air overrides a layer of warm air, forcing the warm air to rise rapidly. Know the Terms Tornado Watch- Issued when conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes. Tornado Warning- Issued when a tornado has been sighted by weather radar or by trained storm spotters. Warning and Danger Signs of a Tornado An approaching cloud of debris can mark the location of a tornado even if a funnel is not visible. Before a tornado hits, the winds may die down and the air may become very still. You may hear the sound of a load roar, similar to a freight train, or see large hail. There may be a strong, persistent rotation in the cloud base. Actions to Consider Before a Tornado Pick a place where family members could gather if a tornado hits. Some safe places to consider include a basement, center hallway, bathroom, or closet on the lowest floor. Above all, avoid exterior walls and windows. If you are in a high-rise building, you may not have time to go to the lowest floor. Go to a hallway near the center of the building. Get out and find shelter elsewhere if in a mobile home. Actions to Consider During a Tornado If at Home Go at once to a windowless, interior room, storm cellar, basement, or the lowest level of the building. Get under and hold on to a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench, heavy table, or desk and use your arms to protect your head and neck. If at Work Go to the basement or to an inside hallway at the lowest level. Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias, or large hallways. Get under a sturdy piece of furniture and use your arms to protect you head and neck. If Outdoors Get inside a building or shelter if possible. If shelter is not available or if there is not enough time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area and use your arms to protect your head and neck. If in a Vehicle Never try to outrun a tornado in an urban or congested area. Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building. If there is not enough time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the vehicle. Be aware of the potential for flash flooding. Actions to Consider After a Tornado Check for injuries and provide first aid and CPR if trained to do so. Watch out for broken glass, fallen power lines, and do not enter damaged areas until told it is safe to do so. Do not use candles or an open flame; combustibles may be present. Use caution when entering a damaged building. (Courtesy of the Emergency Management Flight)