severe local storm

meteorology

Also known as: SELS, severe weather

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

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Severe local storms, also known as severe thunderstorms, are a significant concern in meteorology. The U.S. National Weather Service defines a severe thunderstorm as one producing a tornado, winds exceeding 94 km/h (58 mph), or hail at least 2.5 cm (1 inch) in diameter. These storms can be isolated, multiple-cell, or supercell types, with supercells being the most intense and capable of producing powerful tornadoes and significant wind and hail damage. Meteorologists issue watches and warnings to alert the public to the potential for these dangerous weather events, with warnings indicating imminent threats.1234

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weather forecasting
Predictive skills and procedures
…with severe thunderstorms, sometimes called severe local storms (SELS) or simply severe weather. Forecasts and warnings also are made for tornadoes, those intense, rotating windstorms that represent the most violent end of the weather scale. Destruction of property and the risk of injury and death are extremely high in the…
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…with severe thunderstorms, sometimes called severe local storms (SELS) or simply severe weather. Forecasts and warnings also are made for tornadoes, those intense, rotating windstorms that represent the most violent end of the weather scale. Destruction of property and the risk of injury and death are extremely high in the…
Read More