RIVER FALLS – The City of River Falls will be doing audible testing of the outdoor warning siren system on Thursday, April 20, 2023, in conjunction with the National Weather Service. If actual severe or threatening weather exists on this date, the test will be postponed until Friday, April 21. Listed below is the audible test schedule for 2023. If severe or threatening weather exists on any of these scheduled dates, the test will be the next day (Tuesday) at the same time.

• 1 p.m. Monday, March 27
  • Make-up date 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 28
• 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Thursday, April 20
  • Make-up date 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Friday, April 21
• 1 p.m. Monday, May 22
  • Make-up date 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 23
• 1 p.m. Monday, June 26
  • Make-up date 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 27
• 1 p.m. Monday, July 24
  • Make-up date 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 25
• 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28
  • Make-up date 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29
• 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25
  • 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26

On duty staff at the River Falls Police Department monitor developing weather conditions and initiate activation of the weather sirens based on the following protocol.

1. When conditions exist that indicate immediate danger of a tornado or severe thunderstorm with dangerous winds of 70 mph or above.
2. If the weather service announces a tornado or severe thunderstorm warning with dangerous winds of 70 mph or above and such conditions are threatening locally.
3. If storm conditions exist and public and/or law enforcement sightings of a tornado are reported locally.

It is important to remember the City of River Falls does not sound an “all clear” after an actual activation of the outdoor warning system.

All community members are encouraged to familiarize themselves with safe practices regarding severe weather. Information can be obtained at the National Weather Service website at: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/safety.php or Wisconsin Emergency Management website at: https://dma.wi.gov/DMA/wem or by calling the River Falls Police Department.

Submitted by River Falls Police Department