AMARILLO,TEXAS -- You may not see as many Severe Thunderstorm warnings as you used to, but don’t start thinking that spring’s going to be quiet. There have been some changes in how warnings are issued for storms.
It’s common in the spring for hailstorms to drop anywhere from pea to baseball-sized hail. In the past, the National Weather Service has issued Severe Thunderstorm Warnings for storms with penny-sized hail or 58 mph winds, or both! However, the NWS decided this year to hold off on issuing warnings until hail reaches up to the size of quarters, which means we may not see as many warnings this year.
“We raised the criteria from penny to quarter-sized hail this year because really there’s not much damage that occurs with penny-sized hail. Central Regions did a study and tested this for a couple years…and what we found out was that we really don’t see much damage until we get to quarter-sized hail,” said Meteorologist Steve Drillette from the NWS.
Though the NWS has implemented this new criterion, the Storm Search 7 Command Center will continue to issue strong storm advisories for storms that produce pea-sized hail or larger, strong winds of at least 55 mph and frequent cloud to ground lightning strikes.
We want you to be aware of what’s going on across the High Plains, without us unnecessarily breaking into your regularly scheduled programming.
Other Storm Week 2010 stories
El Niño and this spring's forecast
What is a hypercane?
Storm shelters and what’s safest?
Is Amarillo ready for a torndao?
How Amarillo's tornado siren policy works
How is the EF-scale different from the F-scale?
Where does it need to rain to help Lake Meredith?
