Severe Weather Awareness Week: April 7 – 11

Posted on 04/09/2025

Are you prepared for severe weather? The Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) collaborates with the National Weather Service each year to sponsor Severe Weather Awareness Week in Minnesota. This week is designed to refresh, remind, and educate everyone about the seasonal threats posed by severe weather and how to avoid them. It’s also a great opportunity to create and practice your emergency plan and to build or update your emergency preparedness kit.

STATEWIDE TORNADO DRILLS
The highlight of Severe Weather Awareness Week is the two annual statewide tornado drills. In Minnesota, the 2025 statewide tornado drills are scheduled for Thursday, April 10, at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. CDT. During these drills, outdoor warning sirens will sound to simulate a tornado warning. The first drill is aimed at institutions and businesses, while the evening drill is intended for second-shift workers and families.

WHY IS SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK IMPORTANT?
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the state experiences an average of 46 tornadoes each year. In 2022, Minnesota saw 83 tornadoes, the highest number recorded since the all-time record of 113 in 2010. Most tornadoes occur between May and August, though they have been reported as early as March 6, 2017, and as late as December 15, 2021, when the state recorded 22 confirmed tornadoes. Understanding this threat and knowing how to respond when a tornado is approaching can save lives.

Take advantage of Severe Weather Awareness Week to review your own and your family’s emergency procedures and prepare for weather-related hazards.