[BNAWX] Public Information Statement

[EMWIN Server]

NOUS44 KOHX 141453
PNSOHX
TNZ005>011-022>034-056>066-075-077>080-093>095-150000-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
852 AM CST MON FEB 14 2005

              ...TODAY IS SEVERE THUNDERSTORM DAY...

THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 2000 THUNDERSTORMS IN PROGRESS AROUND
THE WORLD AT ANY GIVEN TIME. MOST OF THESE STORMS ARE BENEFICIAL AND
BRING NEEDED RAIN. ONLY A SMALL FRACTION...LESS THAN ONE PERCENT...
ARE CLASSIFIED AS SEVERE. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE THOSE
THUNDERSTORMS THAT PRODUCE HAIL 3/4 INCH IN DIAMETER OR LARGER AND/OR
STRONG WIND GUSTS OF 58 MPH OR GREATER. HAIL THAT IS 3/4 OF AN INCH
IN DIAMETER IS ABOUT THE SIZE OF A PENNY.

A SMALL FRACTION OF THESE THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCE TORNADOES. ALL
THUNDERSTORMS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DEADLY LIGHTNING. THE HEAVY
RAINS OR THE LIGHTNING ACTIVITY IN A THUNDERSTORM DO NOT HAVE
ANYTHING TO DO WITH A THUNDERSTORM BEING CLASSIFIED AS SEVERE.

TENNESSEE'S PEAK THUNDERSTORM SEASON IS MARCH, APRIL AND MAY...
USUALLY DURING THE LATE AFTERNOON AND EVENING HOURS. TENNESSEE HAS A
SECONDARY SEVERE WEATHER SEASON IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER. SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS CAN AND DO OCCUR ANY MONTH OF THE YEAR AND ANYTIME OF
THE DAY OR NIGHT.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN PRODUCE TORNADOES WITH LITTLE OR NO
WARNING.

SOME OF THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS SAFETY RULES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

FIND SHELTER IMMEDIATELY. GO TO A STURDY BUILDING THAT WILL WITHSTAND
HIGH WINDS. AVOID ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND TELEPHONES.

IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO BRING YOUR CAR INSIDE A GARAGE AND TO
SECURE LOOSE OBJECTS.

REMEMBER...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING MEANS THAT A SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM IS OCCURRING. THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM HAS BEEN DETECTED
BY THE DOPPLER RADAR OR REPORTED TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY
OUR SKYWARN SPOTTER NETWORK OR THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IN A
PARTICULAR COUNTY.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS ARE RIGHT FOR
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TO DEVELOP...BUT NONE HAS BEEN OBSERVED. FOLKS
SHOULD KEEP AN EYE ON THE SKY AND LISTEN TO COMMERCIAL BROADCASTS OR
NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR ANY SUBSEQUENT WARNINGS.

WHEN A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS ISSUED FOR YOUR LOCATION....
TREAT  IT THE SAME AS YOU WOULD A TORNADO WARNING. SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS CAN PRODUCE DAMAGING WINDS, LARGE HAIL AND DEADLY
LIGHTNING. KNOW AND FOLLOW THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM SAFETY RULES.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WEATHER SAFETY RULES CONTACT THE
NASHVILLE WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE AT  (615)-754-4633.

$$

END/ORCHANIAN

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