Tornado Siren Tests Part of Severe Weather Week

MINNESOTA — With severe weather awareness week happening through Friday you may hear some warning sirens around 1:45 p.m. today.

Participating counties and townships were asked to test their outdoor tornado sirens for Tornado Drill Day.

The sirens are being tested twice, on Thursday, in the afternoon at 1:45 p.m. and again at 6:45 p.m.

Schools and the public are encouraged to go over their severe weather plans.

The National Weather Service is also expressing people should know the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning.

A tornado watch informs the public to be aware of worsening conditions and be prepared to act quickly.

A tornado warning is when a tornado has been spotted or has been indicated by weather radar, which the NWS recommends staying away from windows, outdoors, and protect yourself from flying debris.

There’s also a tornado emergency which is when a violent tornado has touched ground and can pose severe threat to people’s lives and property.