The severe weather season's top 5 questions and answers
Severe Weather Awareness Week continues as Meteorologist Matt Willoughby breaks down popular severe weather myths.
The severe weather season can bring an uncomforting feeling when it comes to all the natural disasters during the spring months. In order to stay safe, some may look up ways to reduce the blow during severe weather but some ways to stay safe are not always true. Meteorologist Matt Willoughby breaks down the top 5 myths during severe weather season.
Myth #1 A warm winter influences the severe weather season
No, winter does not set up how our severe weather season will be.
The weather in each season -- or month -- is not dependent on the weather of the trending conditions of the previous season. For example, an unseasonably warm January and February does not necessarily mean March and April will be warmer than average; they could, in fact, still be cooler than average.
The same can be said about severe weather: in 2023, for example, March has already received more snowfall than February, despite their respective designations as meteorological spring and winter.
Remember, weather does not have a calendar.
Myth #2 Rubber sole shoes protect you from lightning
No, rubber sole shoes do not protect you from lightning.
Rubber-soled shoes (and rubber tires) do not give you any protection from lightning. You are safe inside a car because of its metal frame, not because of the rubber tires somehow insulating you. You should always take shelter during a frequent lightning event.
Myth #3 Thunderstorms and tornadoes always move from west to east
No, thunderstorms and tornadoes do not necessarily always move from west to east.
Conditions in the atmosphere dictate how and where storms will move and it can be in any direction. Tornadoes have been known to act erratic and can change directions and speed very quickly. Never try to outrun a tornado in a vehicle.
Myth #4 Flash floods only occur along flowing streams
Flash floods can and do occur in dry creeks or riverbeds as well as urban areas where no streams are present.
So no, flash floods do not only occur along flowing streams.
Myth #5 Tornadoes cannot go into downtown or populated areas
No, tornadoes do not avoid cities and can hit anywhere at any time.
Many cities in the U.S. have been directly hit by tornadoes in recent years including Miami, Salt Lake City, Birmingham, Oklahoma City, Houston, Fort Worth, Nashville, and Joplin MO. Tornadoes are typically 5 to 10 miles tall. A tall building with a height of 500 to 1000 feet (about the height of the Empire State Building) cannot deflect or destroy a tornado.
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