Severe Weather Awareness Week: What Is A Severe Thunderstorm?

As we continue to approach the beginning of severe weather season for the Brazos Valley, many types of nomenclature will arise, and we will keep you abreast so you are in the know.
Severe weather can be though of in multitude of ways; from bitter cold snaps, to flooding, tornadic outbreaks, prolonged droughts, massive blizzards, large hail, and even heat waves. These elements are considered more extreme compared to an average weather day. Many atmospheric conditions, or sometimes lack there of, need to come together to generate weather that will affect peoples lives and property. For an in depth illustration of severe weather, you can click here.

Springtime is looming as March approaches and the warm air to our south will begin to surge north with time moderating temperatures to the 70s, 80s, and eventually the 90s. Additionally, colder air continues to lurk just to our north. At times, a collision of these air masses will take place and aid the chance for strong to severe thunderstorms.

Yesterday, we detailed the differences between a watch and a warning. A watch being an area with a good possibility for severe development, and a warning defined as a specific location(s) where severe weather is imminent. The main question here is, what makes a single thunderstorm severe?

Three major players are considered inorder to classify a thunderstorm as severe.

1) Hail 1"+ in diameter (or the size of a quarter and larger).

2) Winds sustained of 58mph or greater.

3) Tornado being produced.

Only one of the above three need to occur in order for a warning to be posted and for a particular storm to be considered severe. Doppler radar, to weather observations, and even public reports help meteorologists classify each storm as severe or not. If one of the first two are assembled by a thunderstorm, a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING will be issued for certain locations. However, if doppler radar shows a rotating storm with the possibility of tornadic capabilities, or if a tornado is sighted on the ground a TORNADO WARNING will be issued.

Note: Rainfall rates and the amount of lightning is not in consideration for a storm to be tagged as severe.

I hope this helps you understand a little more about severe weather and why warnings are posted for particular storms. Here at KAGS-HD, we will always keep you ahead of the storm, on air, and online at: www.facebook.com/KAGSweatger, www.facebook.com/KAGSTV, and on Twitter; @KAGSweather and @KAGSnews.