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April 01, 2008
If you don't have one already, go out and buy a weather radio
It is severe weather season around here, so this is a good time for this kind of announcement. For many years I have had a radio capable of receiving National Weather Service broadcasts. But in the internet age, I rarely use it. I go to the web, watch the radar, get the scoop on the severe weather prognosis for the day (if something is expected), and just keep track of what's going on in the atmosphere. My radio did not have an alarm that would alert you in the event of a warning. It was basically an ordinary radio.
So this weekend, I bought one with the alarm that will go off when there is a warning specifically for your county or a county near you.
This morning, we had a line of thunderstorms move through very early (which is unusual but not unheard of).
The alarm worked. It was loud enough to wake a sound sleeper like me.
Fortunately, it was not a tornado, and our neighborhood escaped anything too severe. But still... it is that time of year, and early morning storms do happen. I seldom get caught off guard by severe weather during the day, but nighttime storms can be deadly.
A good "all hazards" radio with an alarm can be had for around $30. If you live in tornado alley, it's a good addition to your bedroom.
Longtime readers will know that I am somewhat of a weather buff. This spring, I finally managed to get to a storm spotter training session put on by our local National Weather Service office. If you enjoy weather and live in a tornado prone area (and I know a few economists who do...is it a forecasting thing?), you should go to one of these sessions too.
Janet at SCSU Scholars reports that in Minnesota they had snow. Somewhat hopefully, she titles the post "Last snow?" I don't know. I remember some April snow, including one as late as about April 29. I remember the date because it was study day before final exams.
I do not miss April snow. I want to be out on the soccer field in shorts with the kids this weekend.
Posted by William Polley at April 1, 2008 12:03 AM
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Comments
We had 6" at our place in Mankato. The snow was swirling outside my office yesterday, and I felt like I was in a giant snow globe.
Posted by: Phil at April 1, 2008 07:33 PM