Spring Means Violent Storms Are on the Way

No matter where you live in America, you probably enjoy the change of seasons.

But each season has its own brand of weather trouble. Summer brings us heavy thunderstorms. The strongest hurricanes occur in late summer and early fall. Winter features blizzards.

That brings us to spring. It may be the season we look forward to the most, but it’s also the most volatile weather season of the year.

Today I want to talk about what causes the high-risk weather events we see in the spring. And what we can do to protect ourselves.

each other, strong jet streams develop. This results in variable weather conditions.

Snow, rain & flooding

March and April are actually the snowiest months of the year in some areas. Including the Rockies and High Plains.

Major snowstorms have occurred in the Northeast and upper Midwest in the spring. And at higher elevations in the West.

Both snowstorms and heavy rainfall result in flooding during the spring months. Especially when rivers overflow their banks.

Ground already soaked from snow and rain can’t absorb more moisture. Flooding is the result.

Temperature swings, wind & dust storms.   

As mentioned, spring is when temperatures swing like a pendulum on steroids.

Freezing cold temps one day can be followed by t-shirt weather the next. And vice versa. This happens when strong low-pressure systems move through a region.

Sometimes when people get used to warmer temperatures, a cold plunge occurs. Especially right after a storm.

Wind is another big factor in spring weather. Before, during, and after storms, winds pick up and become gusty. Flying debris makes high winds dangerous.  Dust storms become major threats.

Tornadoes cause devastation

I’ve saved the worst for last. Tornadoes can be as devastating as hurricanes. And there is often little time to prepare for one.

Tornado activity in the lower 48 states increases during early spring. And then peaks during April, May, and June. There are an average of nearly 200 tornadoes in the U.S. in April. And more than 275 in May.

Tornado warning signs include rapidly darkening skies. And clouds rotating in a circular pattern. As well as a funnel cloud and sometimes a rushing or roaring noise being heard.

If conditions are right for a tornado to develop, a watch will be issued. It’s wise to pay close attention to your surroundings. If a tornado warning is given, that means a tornado has been spotted in your area. You should seek shelter immediately.

Take these precautions

Here are 6 steps to take if a tornado is approaching:

• Tune into emergency radio communicated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Their reports will always be ahead of mainstream media reports.
• If you’re indoors, get to a basement, storm cellar, or the lowest level of a building. Stay away from windows, doors, corners of buildings, and outside walls.

• If you’re indoors but can’t get to a lower level, find the smallest interior room. Or a hallway as far from the exterior of the building as possible. 

• If you’re driving, try to head to the closest structure where you can take shelter. 

• If you’re driving but can’t get to a shelter, get out of the car. Lie face down with your hands over your head in a ditch or other lower level near the roadway.

• If you’re driving and you see a tornado, don’t try to outrun it. Pull over immediately and seek shelter. Avoid overpasses, bridges, tall buildings, and flying debris. 

Once a tornado passes, you may not be out of the woods yet. Most people who suffer post-tornado injuries get hurt trying to clean up debris. Including glass and nails.

Also keep an eye out for downed power lines. Plus ruptured gas lines and damaged structures. 

Power outages will occur

Nobody needs a crystal ball to predict the U.S. will get hit with nasty spring storms. It happens every year.

And the common denominator for extreme weather events is power outages. Those outages not only put us in the dark. They also cut off our air conditioning. And if our electronic devices are not fully charged, they’ll die too. 

Another problem with spring storms that knock out power is food spoilage. As temperatures rise in refrigerators and freezers, food spoils.

No manmade force can stop the power and devastation of a tornado or other strong storm. The only thing we can do to protect ourselves is have a survival plan.