The sirens are tested at 2 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. However, they are not tested if there is any inclement weather forecasted that would impede the test or send the wrong message to residents. If that happens, the test is postponed until the following month. Typically, the sirens are activated as an official warning to duck-and-cover during severe weather conditions, like tornado activity, thunderstorm warnings, if forecasts predict winds exceeding 60-65 mph or hail measures an inch wide or a quarter or more in size.