Get ready for Severe Weather Awareness Week

The weather in Minnesota can change in the blink of an eye. One moment, there are beautiful blue skies. The next moment, dark clouds can roll in, bringing damaging winds, heavy rain and hail. Being prepared for that severe weather is essential to staying safe.

Severe Weather Awareness Week (SWAW) in Minnesota is April 7-11. The goal is to remind everyone — families, schools, businesses and communities — that planning is key to staying safe during storms. Being prepared helps reduce the risks and costs of hazardous weather events.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) division, in collaboration with the National Weather Service, will share important tips on how to stay safe and prepared for the severe weather that can hit Minnesota in the spring and summer.

Key events during the week

Outdoor warning sirens and NOAA Weather Radios will sound at 1:45 and 6:45 p.m. in two simulated tornado warnings. This is meant to give people a chance to practice their severe weather plan, including taking shelter, at school, work and home. (Note: Counties may choose to opt out of the drills if actual severe weather is possible in the area.)

Each day of SWAW will highlight an important seasonal weather safety topic:

• Monday: Alerts and warnings
• Tuesday: Severe weather, lightning and hail
• Wednesday: Floods
• Thursday: Tornados (with statewide tornado drills)
• Friday: Extreme heat

Want to know more?

Subject matter experts are available for interviews on SWAW-related coverage. Email Oliver Schuster at oliver.schuster@state.mn.us or call 952-412-8416 to schedule an interview. For full details about SWAW, check out the HSEM Weather Safety website.