By Scott Rippe, founder of Rippeology, a weather and climate blog

You may have noticed that severe weather is happening more frequently over the last 10-15 years. The frequency of tornadoes in Dane County has more than doubled in just the last decade. The months of May and June are usually the focal point for severe weather, and 2026 will be no different. In fact, trends in the atmosphere suggest that extreme weather could occur even more frequently than usual this year.

Most of us watch the weather forecasts on our local news. But there are other ways you can be prepared to stay safe when severe weather approaches. The most important of these is to own a weather emergency radio. These are available at hardware or department stores, or through delivery services like Amazon.

A weather radio works differently than alerts you might receive on your phone. The alarm will wake you up from a deep sleep and will still work if your power or internet service goes out. It tells you what weather is headed your way and when. Good models are less than $50 and take a few minutes to program. Be sure to install batteries as a power backup.

On some occasions, you may need to take shelter somewhere away from windows — especially when tornadoes or high winds are possible. A lower-level space like a basement is best, preferably away from windows. If your weather radio advises you to take shelter, stay there until you’re sure the storm has passed.

If you don’t have a lower level to retreat to, try to find a spot in the southeast part of your home to avoid the worst of the weather. In Wisconsin, the most severe storms often approach from the southwest. In these cases, the strongest winds will hit your home from the northwest. So, it’s good to have a sense of your home’s orientation.

Many people have pre-stocked shelter kits in their basements, consisting of a flashlight, blankets, snacks and water. If you do seek shelter, it’s a good idea to keep your mobile phone with you.

Even if you’re safe inside, outside hazards can still be a problem. Outdoor furniture can be sent flying. Trees and power lines can collapse onto homes. If you hear that there’s a chance of bad weather, take inventory of what’s around your home to reduce the possibility of projectiles.

For more weather information, read the Rippeology blog on Facebook.