We don't live in Tornado Alley, but Minnesota and Wisconsin are considered "Tornado Cul de Sac". We get our fair share of twisters, on average between 25-30 every year. May and June are peak months for hail, damaging winds, flooding rains and rare, isolated tornadoes. Which got me thinking about a weather quiz. Answer these 7 questions and then scroll down to the bottom to see how well you did. Good luck!

1). What hail size is considered severe by the National Weather Service?
a). Pea size
b). Quarter size
c). Golfball size
d). Beachball size
_______________________________________________________________
2). Which of the following is true about US tornadoes?
a). Becoming more numerous
b). Becoming more intense
c). Hitting more large cities
d). Apparent shift in "Tornado Alley" last 10-20 years
_______________________________________________________________
3). Depth of rapidly-moving water capable of floating your vehicle?
a). 6"
b). 12"
c). 24"
d). 36"
________________________________________________________________
4). It is possible to detect lightning on:
a). microwave ovens
b). AM radio
c). solar-powered toasters
d). None of the above
________________________________________________________________
5). Tornadoes resulted in the launch of:
a). 3M
b). Cargill
c). Best Buy
d). Mayo Clinic
(there are 2 correct answers for question #5)
_________________________________________________________________
6). Tornadoes are least likely in the:
a). Minnesota Arrowhead
b). Red River Valley
c). Brainerd Lakes
d). Twin Cities metro
_________________________________________________________________
7). "Heat lightning" is triggered by:
a). Strong summer warm fronts
b). Distant thunderstorms
c). Supercells
d). Intense wildfires
Credit: Paul Douglas
Credit: Paul Douglas
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Check out your answers:
1). Answer: (b). Anything 1" or larger in diameter is capable of damage.
2). Answer: (d). Ohio Valley, Mid South and Gulf Coast are now experiencing more large, violent tornadoes.
3). Answer: (c) Only 2 feet of rapidly moving flood water can turn your SUV or pick-up into a boat.
4). Answer: (b) Lightning produces radio waves called "sferics" - static that can be heard on AM radio.
5). Answers: (c) and (d) Best Buy and Mayo Clinic
"Tornado Sale" at Sound of Music store in Roseville, where shoppers could get a best buy. Credit: Best Buy
"Tornado Sale" at Sound of Music store in Roseville, where shoppers could get a best buy. Credit: Best Buy
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Answer 5: After the June 14, 1981 "Har Mar" tornado that ripped through Minneapolis, the Roseville Sound of Music store had a "Tornado Sale" where shoppers could get a best buy. It worked.
Downtown Rochester after 1883 F5 tornado. Credit: Mayo Clinic
Downtown Rochester after 1883 F5 tornado. Credit: Mayo Clinic
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Answer 5: On August 21, 1883 an F5 tornado hit Rochester, Minnesota. Mayo brothers teamed with Sisters of St. Francis to build a new hospital.
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Credit: Minnesota DNR
Credit: Minnesota DNR
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6). Answer: (a). Cool winds off Lake Superior interfere with supercell formation.
7). Answer: (b). Sometimes at night, lightning from storms 100-300 miles away can be visible - much too far away to hear thunder.

0-3 answers correct? Please watch more of the Weather Channel and brush up on your weather apps.
3-6 questions correct? Nicely done. You are indeed weather-savvy and storm-worthy.
7 questions correct? Move over Al Roker!

Lightning Facts vs Myth

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, also know as NOAA put together five important facts and myths that we should know about lightning. There are five things you should know when encountering lightning. Keep things things in mind the next time you get stuck in a storm.

Gallery Credit: Paty Quyn