‘Destructive’ Severe T-Storm Warnings Start Monday

Weather officials have created new levels for severe thunderstorm warnings, and Coloradans can now expect wireless emergency alerts.

DENVER (CBS4) – Starting Monday, Aug. 2, things will look a bit different the next time you get a notice about a severe thunderstorm warning for your area. Warnings will be now be placed into one of three categories. The criteria for a storm to be classified as severe is not changing. That is any storm that creates wind gusts to 58 mph or greater, produces hail of an inch in diameter or larger, or a funnel cloud or tornado. A storm reaching meeting any of these three criteria will now be considered the “base” severe thunderstorm warning.

To better communicate potential danger and damage potential the National Weather Service has created two new levels, or tags, for a severe thunderstorm warning. If a storm has wind speeds reaching at least 70 mph and/or hail that reaches 1.75 inches or greater, which is the size of golf ball or larger, the warning will have a “considerable” damage tag.