Changes to Severe Thunderstorms Warnings coming this severe weather season…

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Starting April 28th, there will be a new tiered system for Severe Thunderstorm Warnings.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Soon we will be hearing and seeing a lot more of that and some sadly will be seeing this again.

Last year the Greer-Spartanburg NWS, which covers most of our viewing area, reported 325 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings.

Well those warnings are changing by the end of April. Being broken down into 3 tiers called “Impact Based Warnings.”

But now there will be new TAGS to tell how severe it is. Base, Considerable and Destructive.

The lowest tier is very common for our area. A BASE severe thunderstorm warning can produce up to (quarter size hail) and/or wind gusts to 60 mph.

Any thunderstorm upgraded into the next 2 tiers it will be a “very dangerous storm!”

Tier 2 is a Considerable Severe Thunderstorm Warning: This can bring the threat for golf ball size hail (1.75”) and/or 70mph thunderstorm winds. Golf ball size hail would likely leave cars dented and 70 mph winds can take some shingles off a house.

Tier 3 is Destructive:

A Destructive thunderstorm could produce winds at 80 mph which is category 1 hurricane strength and hailstones up to baseball size. At this point there will be extensive tree damage, downed powerlines and damage to houses. And baseball size hail could fall to the ground at up to 100 mph.

RELATED: The dangers of hail: Severe Weather Preparedness Week:

But how does this affect you?

As of now you do not receive an alert for Severe Thunderstorm warnings. But now your phone will be notified from WEA or the Wireless Emergency Alerts system if a Severe Thunderstorm has a DESTRUCTIVE TAG.

So if you receive this alert you know this is a serious Thunderstorm.

Through WEA you will also be alerted for ALL Tornado Warnings and for the top tier Flash Flood Warnings that are tagged Considerable or Catastrophic.

RELATED: Severe Weather Preparedness Week: Tornadoes and straight-line winds

RELATED: Severe Weather Preparedness Week: Tornadoes and straight-line winds

Stay safe everyone!