The Weather-Wise Homeowner - The 3 Things Every Parent & Homeowner Must Know About Severe Weather

Countless incidents in the recent past have once-again proven that weather can be deadly-serious. From the cold spells and blizzards of this winter to the tragic storms that rolled through Tornado Alley in recent years, most people are woefully underprepared for Severe Weather events.
As a parent and/or homeowner, you are responsible for protecting your most valuable assets: your family and property. There's no doubt that predicting the weather plays a vital role in achieving that - and that means more than just checking weather web sites and watching the local forecast.
The good news is that a little bit of specific weather knowledge can go a long way when it comes to your safety. And the insights I am about to discuss will move you a good distance down the path of becoming a more Weather-Ready and Weather-Wise individual.
1. Know Your Geography

Weather is largely determined by where you live. Awareness of your geography is the first and most important step in understanding what kinds of weather threats to expect, and when to expect them. For example, if you live in Tornado Alley, you can expect a higher frequency of turbulent weather like tornadic storms, dangerous lightning, flash flooding, and more. And if you live in the west, you may be prone to extreme heat and forest fire outbreaks. But no matter where you are on the map, you must take time to understand the threatening weather that's prone to your area. In addition to the types of weather, you must also consider when they will occur. Some regions, such the Midwest and Southern Plains, are subject to weather threats year-round, but the most severe weather occurs during the spring months.

A good weather software package should be able to monitor all kinds of weather threats, regardless of geography.
2. Know Your Weather Situation
It's easy to become overloaded with the daily barrage of weather reports. So what really matters when it comes to staying safe? First there's the "Convective Outlook", which is a weather report issued by the Storm Prediction Center and predicts severe weather in your area over a period out to 8 days. This is a great primary resource to consult, especially during the peak severe weather season. The Convective Outlook is issued multiple times per day, and can be accessed on the Storm Prediction Center's website: http://www.spc.noaa.gov. Next, pay attention to any issued Warnings, Watches, and Advisories by your local Weather Service office. A listing of local weather offices can be found here: http://www.weather.gov/organization.php.

Knowing the difference between Warnings, Watches, and Advisories can be the difference between life and death - so here's a recap: - Warnings: Issued when a hazardous weather event is occurring, imminent or likely. The current weather conditions pose a threat to life or property. People in the path of the storm need to take protective action immediately. - Watches: Used when the risk of a hazardous weather has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time so those who need to set their plans in motion can do so - Advisories: Issued when a hazardous weather event is occurring, imminent or likely. Advisories are usually for less serious conditions than warnings, like high wind and blowing snow.

And finally, don't underestimate the power of reading the sky. Pay attention to cloud formations, wind shifts, humidity in the air, and other weather qualities you can use your senses to measure. Any easy one is observing if there's low and dark cloud formation, which is of course indicative of rain, and possibly stormy weather.
3. Have a Plan and Know When To Take Action
It's dark and cloudy. The winds are howling and the thunder won't quit.. Is it time to sound the alarm? How can you know? In moments like these, every bit of weather intelligence matters. Any option can give you the edge is worth taking.
Many online resources exist to provide basic weather tracking. But one approach favored by serious weather trackers is monitoring storms with street-level resolution that advanced weather software packages can provide.
Now that you know it's time to take action, what is your plan? Do you just need to get indoors or do you need to find a tornado shelter? Don't wait until an emergency is in progress to determine your plan of action. The time to start planning is today.
As you can see, preparing your home for threatening weather takes a bit of technology, instinct, and planning. Remember, staying safe is all about knowing your geography, knowing your weather situation, and knowing when to take action. If you can learn the simple tips and tricks behind each of these, then you can be sure to keep your family safe and property protected.

Rory Groves is founder & CEO of SWIFT Weather, a software firm dedicated to protecting communities and saving lives from severe weather. Weather Defender 1.1 is GIS-enabled weather software that provides real-time weather conditions with street-level accuracy. To find out more and download your free demo today, visit: http://www.weatherdefender.com.