With the last vestiges of winter holding on for a final prolonged gasp of cold weather this next few days, it seems appropriate that this week (April 13-17) is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Minnesota, a collaboration between the Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management and the National Weather Service.
The week is designed to refresh, remind and educate people about the seasonal threats that come with severe weather and how to avoid them.
As part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, statewide tornado drills are scheduled for Thursday, April 16. Outdoor warning signings and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) weather radios will be tested to assure they re working properly because when the are activated for real-life situations, lives are at stake.
According to data collected the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota averages 28 tornado touchdowns, but some years are much worse than other including a state record 113 tornadoes in 2010 and 44 in 2018.
For more information about Severe Weather Awareness Week and links to additional resources pertaining to severe weather, click here: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/hsem/weather-awareness-preparedness/Documents/2020-swaw-ppt.pdf