Severe Weather Ramping Back Up
After a very active March, with 191 tornadoes preliminarily counted by the Storm Prediction Center, there’s been a lull in severe weather in April. That seems poised to change with multiple chances for severe weather in the forecast starting this Friday and again next week. 
Storms on Friday are expected to develop across central Oklahoma down into central Texas, eventually advancing east into Louisiana and Mississippi. Severe storms will continue on Saturday across the Gulf Coast states. Damaging winds, hail, flash flooding, and lightning are the most likely threats, but an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.
Next Week
Next week’s set-up features an intensifying low-pressure system moving from the Rockies onto the Plains, setting the stage for what could be a multi-day event. AccuWeather meteorologists are anticipating increasing changes for severe storms starting on Tuesday, April 27 across the Plains, shifting east into the Lower Mississippi Valley on Wednesday.
Site safety managers should be prepared to respond to damaging winds, large hail, lightning, flash flooding, and tornadoes and use this advance notice to review all emergency and business continuity plans to ensure SkyGuard alerts are incorporated as actionable triggers for life-saving action. Read more on best practices for implementing tornado warning procedures into a business emergency action plan.
Not a SkyGuard client? Contact us today to learn more about protecting your employees and mitigating risk to your business.
- Expect ground logistics disruption due to downed trees and power lines, especially along portions of I-35, I-20, I-30, I-40, I-10, and I-55
- Damaging hail could impact outdoor activities, equipment, and inventory
- Temporary structures designed for COVID-19 response will be especially at risk from high winds, tornadoes and hail
- Protect your company against liability by ensuring all employees know the actions to take during severe weather
- Identify time needed for equipment shutdowns and travel times to shelter
- Storm shelters should be well-marked and equipped with a disaster supply kit
- Integrate protective actions directly into warning messages
