The National Weather Service forecast offices in the Pacific Northwest will be educating the public during the annual Severe Weather Awareness Campaign from May 2 to 8. For details, go to http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/severeawareweek.php.
Spring is a good time to take a look at the severity of spring and summer storms and be ready when outdoors. Storms can literally come out of the blue from miles away and make a fun day or weekend trip into a disaster. Flash floods, lightning, hail, winds and wildfires all bring their own unique kind of weather and also some warning signs. The states of Washington, Oregon and Idaho will be participating. When spending some time in the outdoors, a portable weather radio is a handy gadget to carry with you.People can also subscribe on the website to weather alerts delivered to your cell phone.
You may think that we do not get such severe weather as the Midwest, but each year many in the Pacific Northwest get into some serious trouble with our own unique weather. Be prepared and have fun.
And speaking of severe weather, scattered thunderstorms moved through Clark County on Wednesday afternoon, with reports of lightning and hail. There were reports around both Washington and Oregon of high winds, hail, lightning and downed trees and power lines due to the thunderstorms. Not to mention those frog stranglers that accompanied the heavy squalls.
