Staying weather aware this Spring

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — It's that time of year again. Severe weather season is upon as spring begins and our team of meteorologists are working hard to track Monday's possible storm.

Severe weather season can bring high winds, hail, even damaging tornados. As April begins, the National Weather Service is sharing tips and reminders.

The first, is to have a plan with finding shelter.

"We always say the safest place is an underground shelter, or an above ground safe room or a basement," said Vivek Mahale, a Meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Norman.

Mahale said it's best to go to the lowest level and put as many walls between you and the outside as you can.

"Usually this is an interior closet or bathroom, and you want to try to cover up with pillows or cushions to block any flying debris," said Mahale.

While tornado sirens go off if local emergency management or the city enable them, the National Weather Service said the siren shouldn't be your primary way of getting alerts.

"You should actually have multiple ways to receive a warning. We always say like say a weather radio or wireless emergency alerts on your cell phone," said Mahale.

Another way to stay weather aware is by downloading the 4Warn weather app.

"Severe weather season is starting to begin. So you may not use it on Monday, but it's good to have these things in mind in case we have to be weather aware later on this spring," said Mahale.

Another tip Mahale said is to make sure your tornado shelter is cleaned and ready to go and check that your weather radio works, if you have one, before the storm rolls through.