In an effort to reach those on the road in the midst of severe weather, authorities in Hennepin and Ramsey counties will take to digital billboards to warn motorists of possible tornados, MPR reports.

The counties will be partnering with Clear Channel Outdoor at no cost to display tornado warnings on 47 billboards around the Twin Cities and a half-dozen digital road signs in Hennepin County.

"One of our big concerns has always been fatalities that involve automobiles and tornadoes," said Dan Luna, a meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service in Chanhassan. "It's really a challenge to get the word out to people, when there is a tornado warning, to do the appropriate thing in a car."

WCCO reports this week is Severe Weather Awareness week.

According to the National Weather Service, Minnesota experiences an average of 40 tornadoes each year. KSTP reports 37 twisters touched down in the state last year.