Be weather aware!

This winter has certainly be one to remember, and even though a couple of rounds of snow are still fresh in our memories, it is almost time to begin thinking about another kind of extreme weather: thunderstorms, tornadoes, and severe weather.  The very active weather pattern we have seen this winter is likely to continue into the spring. That could mean more chances for severe storms, flooding, and even tornadoes here in central North Carolina into the spring and summer.

Are you ready?

To help get you ready, this upcoming week is Severe Weather Awareness Week in North Carolina.  Each day this week – during our weathercasts on WRAL-TV as well as here on WRAL.com – we'll touch on a different severe weather topic:

Every family should have a severe weather plan.  What would you and your family do if a tornado struck?  Could you be self-sufficient without electricity or running water for a couple of days if roads were cut off due to fallen trees?  Do your children know what to do if severe storms strike while they are home alone?

While our science has improved greatly in the last few decades, severe weather can still strike quickly and without much warning.  Now – while it is still cold and quiet out – is the time to think about these topics, for when the storm is upon us, it is too late.  The next week's worth of severe weather topics should help get you thinking about severe weather and whether you are ready for the storms that will come.