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Spotter Reports Are Still Essential

Even with the best and fastest computers, there is still a crucial need for eyewitness reports.  Radars can identify rotation in storms but because they sample thunderstorms well off the surface of the earth, they can’t tell that a tornado has touched down.  Hail, damage to trees and buildings and rainfall amounts can only be verified through visual reports.

Information to Report

1. Tornado - Report the location, time of sighting, and movement.  Include description of damage.   Confirm rotation!  If it doesn’t spin, don’t turn it in!
2. Funnel Cloud - A rotating cloud that does not touch the ground.   If you see debris, it's a tornado even if the condensation cloud doesn't reach the ground!
3. Movement (of the event) – When estimating movement, don’t use the movement of small cloud elements (particularly scud).  Instead, observe the storm as a whole.
4. Hail - Size, location, and time it occurred.   Use dime, penny, nickel, quarter, golf ball, etc., or measure with a ruler.
5. Winds - Report wind speeds as either measured or estimated.  Report winds of 50 mph or more (58 mph is considered severe).   Report damage associated with winds, e.g., trees down, damage to homes, antennas, power lines.
6. Heavy Rain/Flooding - Rainfall of 1 inch or more in an hour.   Any flooding of basements, rivers, streams and roads (when more than the usual poor drainage puddles).  Also, make sure you distinguish between standing and moving water.
7. Location - Report your location using cross-streets and community.  For small towns or rural areas, also report the direction and distance to the nearest large town.

Checking Into the Severe Weather Net

1. Call Net Control: W9DUP, then un-key and wait for the reset tone (coded as “WX”); then
2. W9DUP this is (your call sign phonetically) then (your call sign)
3. Your name
4. Your location (plus)
   1. Base (do you have emergency power?)
   2. Mobile/Portable (do you have APRS?)
5. Are you a trained spotter?
6. Initial traffic status

CLICK HERE to make a copy of this Check-in Script and keep it handy.

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Quick Reference Links

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Weather Safety and Planning

12 June 2010

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