Spring is the time of year when many things change including the weather.Temperatures can swing back and forth between warm and cool.

Sunny days may be followed by a week of stormy weather. Thunderstorms cause most of the severe spring weather. They can bring lightning, tornadoes, and flooding. Whenever warm, moist air collides with cool, dry air, thunderstorms can occur. This is very common in Oklahoma's spring and summer weather.

Advance planning for thunderstorms, lightning, tornadoes, wildfires, and floods requires specific safety precautions. You can follow the same steps for all extreme weather occurrences. You should have on hand:

• a cellular telephone charger
• a battery-operated flashlight/crank flashlight
• whistle or objects to make loud noises such as pots and pans you can hit together to assist in alerting the first responder that you need help.

A list of important personal information, including:

• telephone numbers of neighbors, family and friends
• insurance and property information
• medical information
• a first aid kit
• a 3-5 day supply of bottle water and nonperishable food
• personal hygiene items, blankets or sleeping bags
• an emergency kit in your car.

Prepare your family members for the possibility of severe weather. You should have an emergency evacuation plan, including a map of your home and, for every type of severe weather emergency, routes to safety from each room. Tell family members where to seek appropriate shelter as soon as they are aware of an approaching storm. Practice your emergency plan for every type of severe weather. Show family members where the emergency supplies are stored.

Unfortunately, few of us get much advance notice of a severe weather event. Often by the time we are aware of an approaching storm, we have little if any time to prepare for it. But we do know that when spring arrives, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and floods are a real possibility in Oklahoma.