Thursday Is Tornado Drill Day in Minnesota

You'd be forgiven if you check the sky when sirens sound Thursday at 1:45 and 6:45 p.m.—but it's only a test.

Much of Minnesota, including Southwest Minneapolis, is under a springtime Winter Storm Warning that happens to coincide with Tornado Drill Day, part of the annual statewide Severe Weather Awareness Week 2013.

The sirens' sounding, as well as NOAA Weather Radio alerts, are a simulated tornado warning meant as an occasion for institutions, businesses and families to review their plans for severe weather.

Click on the PDF thumbnail (or visit the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website) for some ideas of things to do for Severe Weather Awareness Week.

Here is the week's schedule with related DPS links:

• Monday — Alerts and Warnings
• Tuesday — Severe Weather, Lightning and Hail
• Wednesday — Floods
• Thursday — Tornadoes (with statewide tornado drills)
• Friday — Extreme Heat