This week is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in North Carolina. Meteorologist Brian Slocum explains how to receive severe weather alerts. The National Weather Service issues watches for conditions favorable for severe weather, warnings when severe weather is imminent, and emergencies for confirmed tornado threats. Alerts can be accessed via the WXII 12 News app or NOAA weather radios. A statewide tornado drill, initially scheduled for Wednesday, is now set for Friday at 9:30 AM. Safety tips emphasize seeking shelter in sturdy buildings and avoiding mobile homes during tornadoes. Stay informed through updates, live streaming, and customizable alerts.
THIS WEEK MARKS SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS WEEK IN NORTH CAROLINA. WE’RE JOINED BY METEOROLOGIST BRIAN SLOCUM TO DISCUSS TODAY’S FOCUS: HOW TO RECEIVE SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS AND INFORMATION REGARDING THE STATEWIDE TORNADO DRILL. BRIAN, CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THAT? YES, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CHANGES WITH THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT THIS WEEK. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PROVIDES VARIOUS TYPES OF WEATHER ALERTS, SUCH AS WATCHES, WARNINGS, AND EMERGENCIES. EACH OF THESE ALERTS IS ISSUED FOR EVENTS LIKE SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND HIGH WINDS. LET’S GO OVER THE MEANING OF EACH OF THESE ALERTS, USING TORNADOES AS AN EXAMPLE. A WATCH IS ISSUED WHEN CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEVERE WEATHER, TYPICALLY FOR A LARGE AREA AND SEVERAL HOURS IN ADVANCE. WHEN A WATCH IS ISSUED, IT’S TIME TO GET READY. IN CONTRAST, A WARNING INDICATES THAT SEVERE WEATHER IS OCCURRING IN THE AREA AND IT’S TIME TO TAKE ACTION. IN THE EVENT OF A TORNADO WARNING, A STORM HAS EITHER GENERATED A CONFIRMED TORNADO OR DOPPLER RADAR SUGGESTS THAT A TORNADO MAY BE IN PROGRESS. EITHER WAY, YOU MUST SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY. FINALLY, A TORNADO EMERGENCY IS AN EXTREME FORM OF A TORNADO WARNING, ISSUED ONLY WHEN A CONFIRMED AND POWERFUL TORNADO POSES A SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY. NOW THAT YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT THESE WEATHER ALERTS MEAN, LET’S DISCUSS HOW TO STAY INFORMED ABOUT SEVERE WEATHER IN THE TRIAD. WE’LL BE TRACKING STORMS ON TV AND STREAMING LIVE ON WXII 12.COM, BUT WE RECOGNIZE YOU MAY NOT ALWAYS BE ABLE TO WATCH TELEVISION. SEVERAL APPS CAN SEND TEXT OR EMAIL ALERTS DIRECTLY TO YOUR PHONE OR TABLET, INCLUDING THE WXII 12 NEWS APP. AND SINCE SEVERE WEATHER CAN HIT AT ANY TIME, EVEN WHILE YOU’RE ASLEEP, A NOAA WEATHER RADIO CAN WAKE YOU UP WITH AN ALERT TONE AND PROVIDE IMPORTANT WEATHER INFORMATION. DUE TO THE ANTICIPATED SEVERE WEATHER ON WEDNESDAY, THE NORTH CAROLINA STATEWIDE TORNADO DRILL HAS BEEN MOVED TO 9:30 A.M. ON FRIDAY. THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PRACTICE WHAT TO DO WHEN A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED. I’M BRIAN.
Tornado Warning expired for Forsyth, Patrick counties
A tornado warning has expired for Forsyth and Patrick counties. However, a tornado watch remains in effect for several counties in the Piedmont Triad until 1 p.m. You can find more information here. Additionally, we provide the latest tornado safety information on where to find shelter during a tornado warning. You can also learn essential weather terms, how tornadoes form, and what precautions to take in case of a power outage. ►Get the latest weather alerts: WXII 12 ►Click here to sign up for personalized weather alerts for your area. ►Check out live radar ►Live skycams TORNADO SAFETY TIPS From the National Weather Service and Red Cross In general, find the lowest possible spot. A basement or the lowest floor of a building offers the highest level of protection. Place as many walls between yourself and the outside as you can. Avoid windows at all costs! In homes or public buildings: Move to the basement or a small interior room, like a closet, bathroom, or an interior hallway on the lowest level. Shield yourself from flying debris using a mattress, sleeping bags, pillows, heavy coats, blankets, or quilts. Wear bicycle or motorcycle helmets to protect your head. If underground shelters or safe rooms are unavailable, a small, windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building is the best alternative. In mobile homes: Mobile homes are not secure during tornadoes. Evacuate mobile homes and head to the nearest sturdy building or shelter immediately. Leave well before severe weather approaches and find a strong structure. If no shelter is nearby, seek refuge in the nearest ditch, low area, or underground culvert. Lie flat on the ground, covering your head with your hands for protection. In an apartment: Go to the lowest level (try to move to a neighbor’s apartment on the first floor if possible). Regardless of the floor you’re on, seek shelter in a bathtub or an interior closet. If you’re on a higher level and can’t get to a lower apartment, take cover in the breezeway of the apartment building. If you find yourself outdoors: Find shelter in a basement, a sturdy building, or shelter. If you cannot reach a shelter quickly, get into a vehicle and drive to the nearest sturdy shelter. Remember to buckle your seatbelt. Avoid bridge/highway overpasses. If strong winds and flying debris occur while you are driving: Pull over and park, keeping your seatbelt fastened and the engine running. Lower your head below the windows, guarding it with your hands and a blanket. If possible, get to a position lower than the roadway level, exit the car, and lie down in that area while covering your head with your hands. Your decision should be based on your specific situation. The safest location is an underground shelter, basement, or safe room. KNOW THE TERMS TORNADO WATCH A tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service when the conditions are ripe for the development of tornadoes in and near the watch area. The NWS typically issues a tornado watch for four to eight hours and does so well in advance of severe weather events. TORNADO WARNING A tornado warning is issued when a tornado is detected by radar or spotted by weather observers. If a tornado warning is announced for your location, you should seek shelter immediately. A tornado warning can be issued even if a tornado watch is not currently active. Tornado warnings usually last about 30 minutes. HOW DOES A TORNADO FORM? Check out this video for an interactive look at the formation of tornadoes. REPORT POWER OUTAGES Duke Energy: 1-800-POWERON, 1-800-769-3766, customers can also report outages or check current outages online Duke Energy Progress: 1-800-419-6356 Energy United: 1-800-386-4833 NC Electrical Cooperatives: 1-888-411-7870 Randolph Electric: 1-877-736-2633 Piedmont Electric: 1-800-449-2667 City of Lexington Electric: 336-248-2337 City of High Point Electric: 336-883-3111 Surry-Yadkin Electric: 336-356-8241 CONNECT WITH WXII 12 Be sure to download the WXII 12 App to receive updates even if the power is out. You’ll also access the latest weather alerts for your area, live streaming video, updated forecasts, breaking news, and more. WXII 12 News App: Apple devices WXII 12 News App: Android devices SHARE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS Please share your storm damage photos and videos with WXII 12 only when it is safe. Make sure to include your name and location. ULocal on the WXII Mobile App Click on the WXII 12 app, then scroll to find ULocal or access it from the menu to upload your photos and videos. ULocal North Carolina Facebook You can share your photos and videos by visiting our ULocal North Carolina Facebook group. X@WXII FOLLOW THE WXII 12 NEWS WEATHER TEAM ON SOCIAL MEDIA WXII 12 Weather: Facebook, X – @WXIIWeather Lanie Pope: Facebook, X – @Laniepope_wxii Michelle Kennedy: Facebook, X – @Michellewxii12 Brian Slocum: Facebook, X – @Brianslocumwxii Dylan Hudler: Facebook, X – @DylanHudlerWXII Dave Aiken: Facebook, X – @WeatherDave More weather coverage: Closing and delays | Latest weather forecast | Post pictures to the ULocal North Carolina Facebook Group | Traffic information | Report closings and delays | SkyCams Stay updated on the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.
A tornado warning has expired for Forsyth and Patrick counties.
However, a tornado watch remains active for several counties in the Piedmont Triad until 1 p.m. You can find more information here.
Access the latest tornado safety information on shelter options during a tornado warning below. Additionally, learn about essential weather terms, how tornadoes form, and what actions to take if the power goes out.
►Get the latest weather alerts: WXII 12
►Click here to sign up for customized weather alerts for your area.
►Check out live radar
►Live skycams
TORNADO SAFETY TIPS
From the National Weather Service and Red Cross
- In general, get as low as you can. A basement below ground level or the lowest floor of a building offers the greatest safety.
- Put as many walls between yourself and the outside as possible. Avoid windows at all costs!
In homes or public buildings:
- Go to the basement or a small interior room, such as a closet, bathroom, or an interior hall on the lowest level.
- Protect yourself from flying debris with a mattress, sleeping bags, pillows, heavy coats, blankets, or quilts. Use bicycle or motorcycle helmets to protect your head.
- If no underground shelter or safe room is available, a small, windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building is the safest alternative.
In mobile homes:
- Mobile homes are not safe during tornadoes.
- Abandon mobile homes and go to the nearest sturdy building or shelter immediately.
- Leave well in advance of the approaching severe weather and go to a strong building.
- If there is no shelter nearby, find the nearest ditch, low spot, or underground culvert.
- Lie flat, covering your head with your hands for protection.
In an apartment:
- Get to the lowest level (go to a neighbor’s apartment on the first floor, if possible).
- No matter which floor you’re on, get in a bathtub or interior closet.
- If you are on a higher level and can’t reach a lower apartment, hunker down in the breezeway of the apartment building.
If you are caught outdoors:
- Seek shelter in a basement, solid shelter, or sturdy building.
- If you cannot quickly walk to a shelter, get into a vehicle and drive to the closest strong shelter. Remember to buckle your seatbelt.
- Avoid bridge/highway overpasses.
If strong winds and flying debris occur while driving:
- Pull over and park, keeping your seatbelt on and the engine running.
- Lower your head below the windows, covering it with your hands and a blanket.
- If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, exit your car, and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands.
- Your choice should be based on your specific circumstances.
- The safest place to be is an underground shelter, basement, or safe room.
KNOW THE TERMS
TORNADO WATCH
A tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are conducive to the development of tornadoes in and around the watch area. The NWS indicates that a tornado watch is typically issued for four to eight hours and is generally announced well before severe weather events occur.
TORNADO WARNING
A tornado warning is issued when a tornado is detected by radar or observed by weather spotters. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, immediately seek shelter. A tornado warning can also be issued without an existing tornado watch. Tornado warnings typically last about 30 minutes.
HOW DOES A TORNADO FORM?
Check out this video for an interactive look at how tornadoes form.
REPORT POWER OUTAGES
- Duke Energy: 1-800-POWERON, 1-800-769-3766, customers can also report outages or view current outages online
- Duke Energy Progress: 1-800-419-6356
- Energy United: 1-800-386-4833
- NC Electrical Cooperatives: 1-888-411-7870
- Randolph Electric: 1-877-736-2633
- Piedmont Electric: 1-800-449-2667
- City of Lexington Electric: 336-248-2337
- City of High Point Electric: 336-883-3111
- Surry-Yadkin Electric: 336-356-8241
CONNECT WITH WXII 12
Download the WXII 12 App to ensure you receive updates even if the power goes out. You’ll have access to the latest weather alerts for your area, live streaming video, updated forecasts, breaking news, and more.
SHARE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS
Only when it’s safe, please share your storm damage pictures and videos with WXII 12. Be sure to include your name and location.
ULocal on the WXII Mobile App
Click on the WXII 12 app, scroll to find ULocal or access it from the menu, and upload your photos and videos there.
ULocal North Carolina Facebook
FOLLOW THE WXII 12 NEWS WEATHER TEAM ON SOCIAL MEDIA
More weather coverage: Closing and delays | Latest weather forecast | Share pictures in the ULocal North Carolina Facebook Group | Traffic updates | Report closings and delays | SkyCams
Stay informed with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.