NORTH CAROLINA -- The Weather on the 1s team has been forecasting the possibility for severe storms in North Carolina for late Sunday and Monday for several days now. The threat appears to have increased for early Monday morning through midday or early afternoon especially from the Piedmont to the coast. Severe weather threats include tornadoes, damaging straight-line winds, hail, and around one to two inches of rain.

Storm systems like the one approaching the Carolinas are not terribly unusual for April, which is often the most active month of the year for severe weather in the state. However, this April we are also dealing with a global pandemic as we all take special measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Those special "stay at home" measures may actually help keep us safer during this severe weather threat. There is evidence that was the case in late March when a tornado tore through the town of Jonesboro, Arkanas.

 

 

For parts of the state, this severe weather threat will come during a time in the morning when many would typically be headed to the office or school to start a new week. Less people outside exposed to the dangerous weather conditions may help keep many of us  safe.

We all still need a way to receive weather alerts, even when we may be sleeping Sunday night and early Monday morning. A NOAA Weather Radio with a battery back up is a great device to have. When programed, it will sound an alarm if a tornado or severe thunderstorm warning is issued for your location. You should also check the settings of your smartphone to make sure Wireless Emergency Alerts are turned on. This will also sound an alarm if a tornado warning is issued for your location.  Just make sure you leave your smartphone on when you go to bed Sunday night and that it is not in silent or do not disturb mode.

We should all have a plan to take a immediate action if a warning is issued.  A small, interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building typically provides the best protection from a tornado or a severe storm that produces damaging straight-line winds.  Examples in many homes include basements, closets, hallways, and windowless bathrooms.

Stay tuned to Weather on the 1s on Spectrum News for updates.