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Severe Weather Awareness Week kicks off Monday

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ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  The weather flight and its collaborating partners will continue to emphasize that in these challenging economic and budgetary climates, it's more critical than ever for individuals, families, businesses and communities to have plans, test those plans and adjust their plans as needed.

The Robins weather flight strongly encourages individuals, families, and agencies to know safe evacuation routes and shelter locations, stock emergency kits, and practice their disaster response. Information to assist in those actions can be downloaded by clicking the "weather" link on the right-hand side of the Robins AFB public homepage.

Applicable severe weather watches and warnings for Robins include:

Tornado Watch: Conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in and close to the watch area.

Tornado Warning: Issued when a strong rotation in a thunderstorm is indicated by Doppler weather radar or a tornado is sighted by trained personnel.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. A severe thunderstorm contains hail larger than 3/4 of an inch in diameter or damaging winds greater than 58 mph (50 knots or greater). Isolated tornadoes are also possible.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning: A severe thunderstorm is indicated by Doppler weather radar or sighted by trained personnel. A severe thunderstorm contains hail larger than 3/4 of an inch in diameter or damaging winds greater than 58 mph (50 knots or greater). Isolated tornadoes can and do occur with little warning.

Lightning Watch: Conditions are favorable for the development and occurrence of lightning in and close to the watch area.

Lightning Warning: Issued when lightning has been observed within a designated radius.

NOTE: When severe weather is forecast, a message is sent to the Robins Command Post, which then uses AtHoc and the Installation Mass Notification System or Giant Voice to alert the base populace. The base tornado siren will sound when the weather flight issues a tornado warning.