BUFFALO, N.Y. — Severe Weather Awareness Week began Sunday, April 24, and goes through Saturday, April 30 this year. The annual, week-long event highlights a variety of seasonal, severe weather threats that could impact Western New York.
The annual event is a partnership between the statewide National Weather Service offices and New York State Office of Emergency Management it usually takes place during the last week of April. The weeklong event highlights a variety of seasonal, severe weather threats that could impact Western New York.
Both organizations are hoping New Yorkers will take a moment each day to learn about the daily theme and review any related safety practices. A different severe weather threat or topic is assigned to each day in the week. This year's schedule is as follows:
- Sunday, April 24: Introduction of Topics
- Monday, April 25: Definition of Watches and Warnings
- Tuesday, April 26: Severe Thunderstorms
- Wednesday, April 27: What to do Before, During, and After Severe Weather
- Thursday, April 28: Tornadoes
- Friday, April 29: Flooding
- Saturday, April 30: NOAA Weather Radio
And Tuesday evening National Weather Service in Buffalo's Warning Coordination Meteorologist Mike Fries was a guest during the Two On Your Side Town Hall. He discussed the importance of preparing for multiple kinds of severe weather that can happen year round.
There is also a planned test of the statewide hazardous weather drill at 1:15 p.m. Thursday. These will be heard through NOAA Weather Radios and Emergency Alert Systems.
Severe Weather Awareness Week is in addition to the Skywarn Spotter Training Courses that are offered by the National Weather Service each spring.
For the second spring in a row, training courses will be held virtually. Registration is required, but the class is free and open to anyone who has internet access. More information and online registration for the training courses can be found here.