In his message to Texans, Governor Perry noted that severe weather can strike anywhere in the state, often with little warning. Echoing the Governors concern, Jack Colley, State Coordinator of the Division of Emergency Management stated, "this is an excellent opportunity to explain what our citizens need to do when severe weather strikes.”

The Amarillo National Weather Service designated March as Severe Weather Awareness month. Steve Drillette Warning Coordination Meteorologist stated, “We believe that designating March as Severe Weather Awareness Month will give schools, media, emergency managers and others greater flexibility in promoting severe weather awareness and safety”. The Amarillo National Weather Service staffed a booth at Amarillo’s Westgate Mall on March 16, 2004 in an effort to promote severe weather awareness and safety.

The arrival of the spring season brings a transition from cool, stable air to warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico into Texas. The resulting heat in the atmosphere gives way to increased instability, a catalyst for severe weather. The peak climatic period for violent severe weather in the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles is April through June. This is also the time when outdoor activities increase significantly across the area and the state. These threats include severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, large hail, lightning, tornadoes and flash flooding rains which can damage homes and businesses and in some cases cause injury or loss of life. It is important to prepare for the spring severe weather season by learning what to do in the event that severe weather threatens your area.

The main thing to remember is that severe weather can strike any time and anywhere conditions are favorable. Just last year a record 26 tornadoes were recorded in the panhandles in just one day (May 15th) with over a million dollars in damage. As a resident, it is best to be prepared ahead of time and never underestimate the threat that exists in any given event.

Now is an excellent time for schools...hospitals... churches...civic and business groups...and emergency managers to review safety and preparedness plans for the coming severe weather season. This should also be done by every family, ensuring that each member knows how to be safe when severe weather threatens. The Amarillo National Weather Service urges schools, businesses, and families to use this time to conduct tornado / severe weather drills to ensure everyone is prepared in the event that severe weather threatens your area.

"Kids Weather Hour" is an interactive program between elementary students and meteorologists at the National Weather Service. The program allows students to submit weather related questions via the Amarillo National Weather Service homepage. Meteorologists at the National Weather Service recognize and answer each student's question live on NOAA Weather Radio (NWR). The program runs between 9 AM and 10 AM on Fridays.

Several schools have already taken part in the program and the feedback has been very positive. "Teachers are spreading the word for us" said Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Steve Drillette. "Everyone who has participated says it was informative and fun for the kids. One teacher signed up to participate more than once!".

Schools eligible to participate are those under the umbrella of NWR coverage, generally those schools within a 40 mile radius of Amarillo. These counties include Potter, Randall, Oldham, Moore, Hutchinson, Carson, and Armstrong.

If you would like to get your kids involved in "Kids Weather Hour", please feel forward this information to your local school or your child's teacher. There are still program slots open.