What is one criteria for Severe Thunderstorm Condition 1?

One of the criteria for Severe Thunderstorm Condition 1 is based on wind speeds of 50 knots or greater. This threshold indicates the potential for strong and damaging winds associated with severe thunderstorms. When winds reach this speed, it significantly increases the likelihood of hazards such as downed trees, property damage, and dangerous flying debris.

Wind speeds lower than this upper limit, such as those under 30 knots, or the size of hail that is less than 1 inch in diameter, do not classify as severe conditions. Additionally, simply having thunderstorms present without meeting the specific thresholds for wind or hail does not constitute Severe Thunderstorm Condition 1, as there must be more defined criteria that highlight the severity and potential danger of the storm present. Understanding these benchmarks helps in assessing storm threats effectively.