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Severe thunderstorms contain multiple dangers that can threaten your safety and personal property in any part of the country and at any time of the year.

Although these storms can be fairly small averaging around 10 to 15 miles in diameter and have an average lifetime of 20 to 30 minutes.

They can cause a tremendous amount of damage in this short time frame.

Severe thunderstorms are defined as having one or more of the following:

• Winds in excess of 58 mph
• Hail at least 3/4 of an inch in diameter, approximately the size of a penny
• A tornado

Severe thunderstorms also frequently contain heavy downpours and dangerous lightning.

Wisconsin sees an average of 30 days a year with thunderstorms.

Here's the breakdown on severe weather events in Wisconsin:

• Roughly 72 percent of all severe events in the state are straight line wind events, wind speeds in excess of 58 mph
• 20 percent are hail events with hail-stones that are at least 3/4 inch in diameter
• 8 percent are tornado events

Here are some more interesting facts about severe thunderstorms in the state of Wisconsin.

Hail can occur in any county however the southern half of Wisconsin has a greater number of recorded hail events.

Each summer there are about 15 severe thunderstorms in Wisconsin, which produce hail 1.5 inches in diameter or larger.

Severe thunderstorms can occur at any time of the day and at any time of the year. The peak season for severe thunderstorms is between April and August and most likely to occur in the late afternoon or evening hours.

During the year 2000, 12 counties in Wisconsin experienced hurricane force winds -- greater than 75 mph -- associated with severe thunderstorms.

In the last 31 years, Wisconsin had 19 days with documented thunderstorm-related wind speeds in excess of 100 mph.

It is important to know the difference between a severe thunderstorm watch and a warning. When severe thunderstorm watch is issued it means that severe thunderstorms are possible. When a severe thunderstorm warning is issued it means that severe thunderstorms are imminent or occurring in your area.

Always make sure that you know in which county that you live. Watches and warnings are defined on a county basis. If severe thunderstorms are a possibility in your area, monitor a NOAA weather radio, local TV or radio stations for the latest severe thunderstorm watches and warnings for your area.

If a warning is issued, you need to take action to protect yourself. Move to a sturdy building and do not stand near windows. Do not use telephones unless in an emergency until the storm has passed your area. Always remember that thunderstorms can and do produce tornadoes with little or no advance warning.

For additional severe weather information, visit the NWS's Web site.

SOURCE: NWS