Jefferson Lab's geographical location in Newport News, Virginia, makes it susceptible to a variety of severe weather events with the potential to damage property, adversely affect Lab operations and cause personal injury.
These include:
The National Weather Service provides near-term forecasts for these weather events with sufficient advance notice for site preparations and decisions about lab closings. Less predictable weather events, such as lightning and tornados, usually occur under specific conditions, and these precursor conditions are typically forecasted in advance. Heeding these advance notices, and using them to prompt Jefferson Lab weather preparations, is essential to reducing weather-related risk to equipment and people. At Jefferson Lab, personal safety takes precedence over other considerations.