Storm Prediction Center to will add layers of storm warnings; effort may battle complacency
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Forecasters intend to change advisories that warn when tornadoes or high winds are on the way.
Instead of just saying there's a slight, moderate or high risk of severe weather, the Storm Prediction Center will add the labels "marginal" and "enhanced." Center director Russ Schneider said forecasters had found that some days branded as having a "slight risk" of storms actually turned out to be nasty.
National Weather Service administrators still must approve the change, which could take place in April.
State emergency managers say if the public has been tuning out any "slight risk" warnings, the new language could make them pay attention.
Schneider said the new warning system could be especially helpful in the eastern United States, which doesn't see the same violent weather as Tornado Alley.
