State of WI Tornado Drill POSTPONED until FRIDAY
(Press Release) -- Wisconsin’s statewide tornado drill will be delayed until Friday, due to the potential threat of severe thunderstorms, hail, or tornadoes in southern Wisconsin on Thursday.
After consulting with our partners at the National Weather Service (NWS) and Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, Wisconsin Emergency Management said a decision was made to postpone the statewide tornado drill originally scheduled for Thursday, April 11 to the alternate date of Friday, April 12. The decision was made to prevent any confusion that may occur if the NWS needed to issue any real warnings for severe weather threats. Wisconsin planned to postpone the statewide drill when the potential threat of severe weather exists.
Friday’s schedule for the drill will remain the same, with a mock tornado watch issued at 1:00 p.m., followed by a statewide mock tornado warning at 1:45 p.m. and a second mock tornado warning at 6:45 p.m.
The decision only effects the test alerts that will be sent out over NOAA Weather Radios and through participating TV and radio stations around the state. Schools and businesses who had planned to participate in the drill on Thursday are welcome to keep those plans in place.
While the severe weather threat is expected to pass after Thursday, WEM and its partners will continue to monitor conditions and evaluate Friday’s plans. If the threat of tornadoes or severe thunderstorms persists into Friday, the drill could be cancelled. In that event, a makeup date would not be scheduled.
**Previous Post**
Despite Snow In The Forecast, Statewide Tornado Drill Expected To Be Held Thursday
Tuesday, April 9, 2019 l DrydenWire.com
MADISON, Wis. – It’s Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week and, despite there being snow in the forecast for later this week, Wisconsin’s statewide tornado drill is expected to continue as planned on April 11.
The National Weather Service (NWS) is currently anticipating snow will affect much of the state on Thursday, including potential blizzard-like conditions in parts of northern Wisconsin. The expected date of the snowfall currently coincides with the scheduled date of Wisconsin’s statewide tornado drill. The drill includes a mock tornado watch at 1 p.m., followed by a statewide mock tornado warning at 1:45 p.m. and a second mock tornado warning at 6:45 p.m. that same day. During those mock warnings, alerts are issued on NOAA Weather Radios and on TV and radio stations across the state. Many communities will also sound their warning sirens during the drill.
Current policy is to carry forward with the statewide tornado drill unless there is a potential for tornadoes or severe thunderstorms on the scheduled date. After consulting with our partner agencies and organizations that help coordinate the drill, including NWS and the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, we anticipate it will be run as planned on April 11.
Participation in the drill is voluntarily, and local governments, schools and businesses should decide whether to proceed based on the current conditions in their area. Schools in Wisconsin are required to hold at least one tornado drill during the school year, but there is no requirement that it be done during the statewide drill. Schools that cancel classes Thursday due to weather can reschedule the drill for another time.
The NWS will continue to monitor the weather system as it approaches the state and reevaluate the situation throughout the week. If the forecast changes significantly and the risk of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms increases, a final decision on cancelling the drill or delaying until Friday would be made by Wednesday afternoon.
Last Update: Apr 13, 2019 3:49 pm CDT
