What Triggers The Outdoor Warning Sirens in Southeast Minnesota

Whenever the threat of severe storms starts to show up as "breaking news", being weather aware is important.

One vital piece of information that everyone in Southeast Minnesota should know is when the outdoor warning sirens are activated during severe weather. Below is a reminder about when and why you'll hear those sirens sound off.

Here's When The Outdoor Warning Sirens Are Activated in Olmsted County in Minnesota

While Minnesota may be known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, it is also home to over 15,000 hailstorm events since 1950. According to Yahoo, Minnesota also sees an average of 44 tornadoes per year.

Staying weather-aware when the National Weather Service issues warnings and watches helps keep everyone safe. One way that you can be vigilant in keeping on top of the severe weather around you is by knowing when and why the outdoor warning sirens get activated.

Here's a rundown of when you may hear the outdoor warning sirens activate:

Tornado Warnings - issued by the National Weather Service and can indicate a radar-indicated or a tornado confirmed by a trained spotter or public safety personnel.
Hail 2 inches in diameter or larger
Forecasted or observed winds of 70 mpg or greater
In Rochester, you'll hear sirens on Wednesdays at 10:00 am for the weekly test

The City of Rochester Facebook page reminds residents that "if you hear a siren, go indoors immediately and monitor trusted forecasting services for updates."

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Other Important Reminders About Outdoor Warning Sirens

The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office Facebook page also shared these important reminders:

Have multiple ways to receive severe weather information. Several options include grabbing our free app to receive notifications, using a weather radio, or a trusted media sources.
There is no "all-clear" siren.
The outdoor warning sirens are not meant to alert people who are indoors - it is to help alert those who are outside.
The sirens don't activate for an entire event.

Important Safety Tip - Unplug These Items Before You Go On A Vacation

As you are packing your suitcase and getting ready for a vacation, don't forget to also unplug these items before you leave your home. Not only will unplugging these items help save you a little bit of money on your energy bill while you are away, but this also reduces the risk of having a fire.

Gallery Credit: Jessica On The Radio