This article explains Nebraska’s Severe Weather Awareness Week, the statewide tornado warning drill scheduled for March 25, and related preparedness activities led by the National Weather Service.
It also highlights how residents, schools, and local governments can participate and strengthen readiness for spring severe weather across the region.
Severe Weather Awareness Week in Nebraska
Nebraska faces elevated risk for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and related hazards as spring unfolds.
To bolster public understanding and readiness, the National Weather Service offices serving Nebraska designate March 23–27 as Severe Weather Awareness Week.
Throughout the week, agencies and communities work to improve awareness of weather threats, safety plans, and the steps residents can take to reduce risk and increase resilience.
During this period, the NWS emphasizes reliable weather information, timely warnings, and practical safety actions that can make a difference when severe weather strikes.
Tornado Warning Drill Details
The centerpiece of the week is a statewide tornado warning drill led by the NWS offices that serve Nebraska.
The drill is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, at 10 a.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT).
It will be transmitted through the NWS Weather Radio All-Hazards tone alert and is expected to sound like a “Routine Weekly Test” (RWT) on weather radios.
This drill allows agencies and residents to practice receiving and reacting to warning information in a controlled, realistic way.
The drill’s NWS portion will not trigger phone notifications, media alerts, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), or most other automatic notification systems.
Participation is voluntary; many schools, businesses, cities, and counties may choose to take part.
Residents should contact their local Emergency Manager to learn whether their jurisdiction will participate and how to engage with the drill and related activities.
Participation and Local Preparedness
Participation in the drill is voluntary, but engagement from schools, businesses, cities, and counties is common and encouraged.
Local governments coordinate with the NWS and Emergency Management agencies to practice warning reception, dissemination, and response.
If you are unsure whether your city or county will participate, reach out to your local Emergency Manager for guidance and participation details.
To strengthen personal and community preparedness, consider these actions:
Spotter Talks and Community Outreach
In addition to the drill, the NWS Hastings Forecast Office is hosting Spotter Talks across south-central Nebraska and north-central Kansas throughout March and into early April.
These talks aim to improve local preparedness by educating storm spotters and the public about recognizing weather hazards, reporting severe weather accurately, and interpreting warnings.
A complete schedule of Spotter Talks is available on the NWS Hastings website, which remains the primary resource for event timings and locations.
Spotter Talks foster stronger ties between the public, educators, emergency managers, and meteorologists.
By improving communication and reporting, communities build a faster, more coordinated response when severe weather threatens.
Forecasting, Warnings, and the Weather-Ready Nation
The NWS Hastings Forecast Office serves as the primary source of forecasts, warnings, and weather data for the region.
In concert with partners, the NWS continues to pursue its vision of a Weather-Ready Nation—a society better prepared to withstand and recover from extreme weather through shared responsibility and robust information networks.
These efforts emphasize timely, accurate forecasting and clear warning messages.
Community resilience is also a key focus.
By participating in Severe Weather Awareness Week activities, residents gain practical knowledge about how to respond to warnings.
They also learn how to access trusted information and contribute to safer, more resilient communities.
To stay informed beyond the drill, rely on your local NWS office—Hastings for this region—for forecasts and warnings.
Preparedness is a collective effort.
Here is the source article for this story: Nebraska Severe Weather Awareness Week