Nebraska Severe Weather Awareness Week March 23-27,

Sandhills Cranes. The Time Change. March Madness. All of those events signal spring
is just around the corner, and with that, severe weather. Nebraska has designated the
week of March 23-27 as Severe Weather Awareness Week. To that end, a packet of
severe weather information is available at this online Story Map Link. The graphics are
free to use by anyone.

Just like last year, the National Weather Service (NWS) offices which serve Nebraska,
will lead efforts to prepare via an annual tornado warning drill. Drill information follows:

● Date: Wednesday, March 25
● Time: 10:00 AM, CDT
● Method: The drill will be sent via NWS Weather Radio All-Hazards tone alert.
○ The NWS portion of the drill WILL NOT trigger phone notifications, media
alerts, Wireless Emergency Alerts or virtually any other automatic
notification systems.
○ If you have a weather radio, the drill will be identified as a “Routine
Weekly Test” or RWT and likely sound the audible alarm.

● Participation: Participation is voluntary. However, many schools, businesses,
cities and/or counties may participate. Contact the local Emergency Manager
to find out if a city or county will participate and by what means.
Spotter Talks Ongoing Across the Area

Another aspect of preparedness is learning more about severe weather and its impacts
at a local Spotter Talk. Spotter talks have been scheduled throughout March and early
April in south central Nebraska and north central Kansas. A complete schedule is
available on the NWS Hastings website (weather.gov/hastings) at this link.