For more than 25 years, the State of Minnesota has conducted a Severe Weather Awareness Week in April in partnership with the National Weather Service and local governments. A statewide tornado drill is part of that event.
The Severe Weather Awareness Week campaign helps teach Minnesotans about weather hazards and provides resources to minimize the risks associated with severe weather. Using the Minnesota Severe Weather Awareness Week website as a guide, everyone is encouraged to make a plan, build an emergency kit and practice drills.
Monday - Alerts and Warnings
Tuesday - Severe Weather, Lightning and Hail
Wednesday - Floods
Thursday - Tornadoes (with statewide tornado drills)
Friday - Extreme Heat
Getting ready for winter doesn't always take a lot of work. Sometimes it’s just a few little things that can make the difference between safety and suffering: having a survival kit in your car, changing the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector, staying well-hydrated during outdoor fun.
To help everyone minimize the risks and hazards of winter, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety – in collaboration with the National Weather Service and other state, and federal agencies – sponsors “Winter Hazard Awareness Week” each fall to educate and reinforce in people some simple behaviors and actions that lead to a warm, safe and enjoyable winter season.
The week-long event takes place in November and includes a media campaign and other informational materials posted on the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division's website. The campaign targets specific information each day and can be used in conjunction with school, church, or civic programs.
Monday - Winter Weather Overview – Ice storms, blizzards, sub-zero temperatures, winter weather watches and warnings, and wind-chill
Tuesday - Outdoor Winter Safety – Safety on ice, snowmobile safety, hypothermia and frostbite
Wednesday - Winter Fire Safety – Winter and holiday fire safety, alternative heat sources, smoke detectors, cooking safety, candle and decorations
Thursday - Indoor Winter Safety – Carbon monoxide, radon, mold and general home care
Friday - Winter Driving – Auto safety, snowplows, road conditions, using 5-1-1, winter driving tips, car survival kits and calling 911 on a cell phone
For more information, go to the HSEM Winter Weather website.
