By Scott Carlson-NP Post
NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-We are no strangers to severe weather in Southwest Nebraska, and the National Weather Service wants residents to be "Weather-Ready."
March 22 through 26 is Severe Weather Awareness Week, and the National Weather Service will hold their Statewide Tornado Drill in Nebraska on Wednesday, March 24 at 11:00 am CDT or 10:00 am MDT.
The Weather Service says this is an excellent opportunity for families, schools, and businesses to review their tornado safety procedures. Officials say warning sirens will sound across the state and the Emergency Alert System will play on radio and television stations as part of the drill.
2020 was a down year for tornadoes in the state, according to meteorologists, with only 21 tornadoes. They say that number is less than half of the 30-year average, with the majority of the tornadoes reported and confirmed last year occurring in Central and Western Nebraska.
Meteorologists say, over the last 15 years, tornado numbers have generally declined across the state. They say, while certain weather and climate-related trends such as drought or El Nino/La Nina can influence the frequency of severe weather, there is no exact reason for the decline.
While the decline in tornadoes is definitely a good thing, meteorologists warn that it is never time to let our guard down, encouraging Nebraskans to always be aware of the weather and tune to local media outlets or NOAA Weather Radio in the event of severe weather.
The Weather Service will be posting daily severe weather tips on their social media accounts throughout the week.
2020 Severe Weather
Tornadoes: 21 (20 less than the 1950-2020 average of 41 & 30 less than the 30 year average of 51)
Deaths: 0 Injuries: 0
Longest track: 4.2 mi (July 8th - Near Silver Creek in Merrick County)
Greatest width: 250 yards (July 2nd - Near Marsland in Dawes County)
Strongest: EF2 (July 2nd - Near Marsland in Dawes County)
Most in a county: 3 (Custer & Perkins Counties)
Days with at least 1 confirmed tornado: 11
Most in one day: 5 (June 8th & July 8th)
Most in one month: 8 (June)
First tornado of 2020: May 22nd (EFU Near Barneston in Gage County)
Last tornado of 2020: August 14th (EF0 - Near Saronville in Clay County)
Note: EFU = The EF-U designation was created to classify tornadoes where the wind speed is unknown due to no discernable damage
