By Dewey Terrill

JC Post

Tornadoes can occur any time and lightning can cause fatalities.

Those were two of the messages conveyed to the public during the Storm Spotter & Severe Weather meeting in Junction City Wednesday evening.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Kevin Skow stated that there are three types of storm categories including the short-lived or Pulse storms which are often non-severe. Then there are Line storms which can have widespread damaging winds and produce occasional tornadoes, heavy rain with some flooding and moderate size hail. The last category involves super cell thunderstorms where tornadoes can occur. Some of those tornadoes have a hook echo at the bottom of the storm.

Skow touched on some myths about tornadoes. “Some of the big myths are that rivers and hills protect you from a tornado. Other myths can be that taking shelter under an overpass is safe. Overpasses are never safe if you’re out driving. ” Skow also pointed out that even and EF0 or EF1 tornado can do damage. The rating scale for tornadoes goes from EF0 up to EF5.

When it comes to lightning do not be under a tree, lightning will seek the tallest object, approximately 40-50 lightning fatalities are reported each year with most of them occurring where people are playing sports. Soccer and golf are the sports that rank one and two in lightning related fatalities. Also, the presence of lighning does not mean there is a severe thunderstorm.  For a thunderstorm to be labeled severe the threats need to include 60 mile per hour winds, or one-inch diameter hail.

When it comes to severe weather safety go underground if possible into a basement or storm shelter. If that is not possible find an interior closet or get underneath anything large or a heavy piece of furniture. Know where your shelter is located ahead of  a storm. Do not try to drive away in your vehicle and if caught in your vehicle get below the windshield and cover your head.

Be prepared for spring and summer severe weather.