Spotter Safety Procedures

Volunteer spotters carry out spotting activity at their own risk. Remember that you never need Net Control’s approval to take self-protective steps.  Take care of your safety first.  Inform Net Control of the situation when you can do so safely.

• Avoid being near overhead lines that could attract lightning or fall on your vehicle.
• Be sure you have multiple exit routes from your spotter location.  Avoid cul-de-sacs and dead-end streets.
• Be aware of sites affording protection from hail, such as covered parking or drive-through teller lanes.
• Be observant of the local environment always.
• When near a thunderstorm, keep a three to four mile “buffer zone" between you and the storm.
• For best visibility and safety, it is best to stay on the South side of the storm with an eye to the North.
• Frequently check the sky overhead and behind to ensure against unexpected events such as a new tornado development.
• It is easy to become engrossed in developing weather phenomenon to the disregard of the total weather environment.
• Even during severe thunderstorm watches, tornadoes may develop.
• Spotters should always be on guard for tornado development.

Lightning is the most common weather hazard facing the spotter.  The spotter can have a lightning strike exposure due to his position in an area such as a hilltop clearing.

• Whenever possible, remain in your vehicle to minimize the chance of being struck by lightning.
• If you must leave your vehicle, maintain a low profile when lightning is nearby.
• Remember lightning can strike some miles from a thunderstorm cloud.

If a tornado approaches your location:

• Drive away from the tornado.
• Do so only if you are in open country, if the location and motion of the tornado are known and if you are familiar with the local road network.
• If you are in an urban area and escape is not possible for some reason, abandon your vehicle and seek shelter in a reinforced building.
• If a reinforced building is not available, get into a culvert, ditch

• or other depression in the ground not prone to flooding.
• Protect your head with your arms.
• Never drive through water of unknown depth.

• Flowing water, exceeding a foot in depth, is capable of moving a vehicle off the pavement with a force of 1500 pounds.

Quick Reference Links

Amateur Radio
Education
Hurricane Information
Lightning
Marine Information
NOAA Weather Radio
Preparedness URL Resources
Public Service Comms
Reporting Criteria
School Planning
Skywarn
Spotter Reference
State of Illinois
Weather For Kids
Weather Material for Teachers
Weather Safety and Planning

Send mail tonospamskywarn@ameritech.net with questions or comments about the content of this web site.

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