A Facebook post about severe thunderstorms cautioned that not every storm with heavy rain or abundant lightning meets the criteria for a severe thunderstorm warning, the post said. It noted that meteorologists follow a set of standards when deciding whether to issue warnings.
Meteorologists and weather agencies, including the National Weather Service, use those standards to distinguish routine storms from ones that pose an imminent threat to life and property, officials say. Warnings are intended to prompt immediate protective actions by people in the path of hazardous weather.
The distinction matters because storms can produce dangerous conditions such as damaging winds, large hail, intense lightning and flash flooding even if they do not meet warning thresholds. Public safety messaging aims to make clear when to seek shelter and when to follow additional precautions.
Understanding how warnings are issued helps residents better interpret watches and advisories and take appropriate steps to protect people and property. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
