The county bias of severe thunderstorm warnings and severe thunderstorm weather reports for the Central Texas region.

Severe thunderstorm warnings issued by the National Weather Service and severe thunderstorm weather reports dating from January 1, 1986 to December 31, 2005 were analyzed to find a potential county bias in the issuance of severe thunderstorm warnings. Choropleth maps and statistical analysis of the data reveal a population density bias for both severe weather reports and severe thunderstorm warnings issued as well as a likely distance bias. Additional non-meteorological county warning and severe weather report biases were found for several counties in the study area that may relate to socioeconomic factors, physiographic influences and county size and directional orientation. Proximity to interstate highways also appears to have an effect on the reporting of severe weather events and the issuance of severe thunderstorm warnings.