Spring is here! It's time to leave the mittens and heavy coats behind, enjoy the budding trees and blooming flowers, and also be aware of severe weather. That's right, springtime is tornado season across much of the United States. But it depends where you live. That's one of the many things I learned while researching my newest book, The Tornado Scientist: Seeing Inside Severe Storms.
Tornadoes are storms of violently spinning air spawned from powerful thunderstorms. The storms that produce severe weather, including tornadoes, are powered by warm moist air rising up into the atmosphere. That's why winter twisters are rare in cold places like Minnesota but happen in the warmer South. This terrific UStornadoes.com map shows where tornadoes have occurred by season. What is the prime season for twisters where you live?
More importantly, are you and your students prepared for a tornado? Remember, a TORNADO WATCH means a tornado is possible ("watch" TV or other media for updates) while a TORNADO WARNING means a tornado is likely happening ("warning": take shelter now).
Here are some tornado safety tips from FEMA:
BEFORE: Have a school and/or family plan. Everyone should know where to go and what to do. Make sure an emergency kit is stocked and easy to get to.
DURING: Put on shoes, get the emergency kit, and go to basement, cellar, or a closet or hallway in the lowest level of building. Stay away from outside walls, windows, and doors. Protect your head. (Got a bike helmet?)
AFTER: Watch out for broken glass and nails (shoes! not flip-flops) and never go near loose power lines. Text, don't talk to communicate to leave phone lines open for emergency workers.
Use this simple quiz to start a conversation with students about staying safe during severe weather. It's part of a downloadable Tornado Fact Sheet for kids from FEMA. Be safe and happy spring!
