KAUZ-TV: NewsChannel 6 Now | Wichita Falls, TXSevere Weather Guide
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Here are a few common myths to keep in mind when severe weather approaches.
If you find yourself in the path of a tornado, the most important decision you can make is where to take shelter.
In the Spring in Texoma, warm clear days, can turn stormy and violent in a matter of hours. Sunshine can be replaced by thunder and lightning, hail, high wind, or tornadoes.
In the spring we see so many weather alerts. We're bombarded by watches and warnings. It's hard to keep it all straight. But there is a difference between the time to be cautious and the time to act.
Here in Texoma the springtime weather provides all the elements needed for thunderstorms. Gusty south winds in the spring bring in moisture from the gulf of Mexico. Moisture is needed for clouds and rain. Temperatures at the surface of the earth get nice and warm, while a little cold winter air still lingers above us.
Some days everything is just right for tornadoes. All of the elements can be in place for thunderstorms to form, but one very important ingredient must be added for tornadoes to form. That ingredient is wind shear.
Tornados aren't the only hazards associated with thunderstorms. Hail, flash floods and lightning can all be deadly.
While hail can cause lots of damage, one of the most deadly products of thunderstorms is flash flooding. In fact, flash floods are now the number one weather-related killer in the United States.
Lightning is probably the most common element of a thunderstorm. After all, you can't have thunder without lightning.
Ken comes to Texoma from Jackson, Mississippi, where he was a meteorologist for 16 WAPT for 9 years. While here, he made a name for himself the "go to guy" for breaking weather events. Learn more about Ken here.
"Wow, look at that wind!" These were the first words Matt used to describe the weather here in Texoma as he arrived after about 15 hours worth of driving time. Learn more about Matt's experience here at Newschannel 6.
Ben is very excited to cover the always changing weather of the Texoma area. Growing up in Dallas and getting his degree in Oklahoma, Ben knows the importance of severe weather coverage.
