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If you heard tornado sirens blaring across Minnesota and Wisconsin on Thursday, don’t be alarmed — but don’t completely ignore them, either.

Thursday, April 10, was the annual tornado drill day in both states, part of Severe Weather Awareness Week.

There were two drills on Thursday — the first at 1:45 p.m. That’s aimed at reaching people in schools, offices, stores and other businesses.

The second drill was at 6:45 p.m., aimed at people while they’re at home, along with second-shift workers.

While there was no actual severe weather in the forecast for Minnesota on Thursday, the goal of the drills is to get people thinking about where they can find shelter when there are severe thunderstorms — and possibly tornadoes — throughout the rest of the year.

Weather alerts and warnings

Severe storms, lightning and hail

Floods

State public safety officials said Minnesota averages nearly four dozen tornadoes each year — with a record of 113, set in 2010. 

Most tornadoes in Minnesota occur between May and August, but they’ve been reported as early as March 6 and as late as Dec. 15.

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If you heard tornado sirens blaring across Minnesota and Wisconsin on Thursday, don’t be alarmed — but don’t completely ignore them, either. It was the annual tornado drill day in both states.

Severe weather sirens will sound twice in Minnesota, Wisconsin for annual tornado drills

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