As summer approaches, experts say preparations for severe weather should begin
SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WWLP) – As the summer months approach, severe weather will too.
Experts told 22News, if a weather alert is issued, you want to be weather aware too. That means pay attention to the weather on TV, apps, and outdoors.
At the beginning of May, Meteorologists start to see thunderstorms that can become severe across Western Massachusetts.
'We're talking about wind gusts over 60 miles per hour, we're talking about hail with some of these storms, of course, lightning, and of course, very heavy rain could cause flash flooding,' said Adam Strzempko, Meteorologist, 22News Storm Team.
Information on each potential storm is gathered by our 22News Storm Team from the Storm Prediction Center in Oklahoma. As a storm gets closer, it's monitored, then broadcast.Meteorologist Adam Strzempko said it's important to know the difference between a warning and a watch issued by the National Weather Service.
'They'll issue a severe thunderstorm watch or perhaps a tornado watch, and that means the area we're watching for the potential of severe weather, and then if severe weather develops, a severe thunderstorm warning will be issued, which means severe weather is occurring,' said Adam Strzempko, 22News Storm Team Meteorologist.
Sheltering indoors and having essentials is always recommended.
Experts told 22News, don't wait until severe weather hits to get the supplies you need, because items are typically gone before the storm starts and ends.
'You want to make sure you have plenty of flashlights available, there are full batteries in there to make sure to can see if the power goes out. Make sure all your devices are charged, cell phones, radios, anything you need,' said Brian Bowler, Marketing Director at Rocky's Ace Hardware.
If there is heavy rain, there is a lot of cleanup that might be needed to be done inside the home.
'You might need a utility pump, or sump pump to make sure you can get that water out, box fans, mops,' said Bowler.
If you have to clean up outside of your home, it's highly recommended to keep safety top of mind.
'Having a good working chainsaw, make sure it's working, it's well-oiled, maintained, and cleaned,' said Bowler.
While severe weather can cause a lot of damage, utility companies and hardware shops can help if repairs are needed.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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