Reporting Weather Conditions
While NWS offices
typically are interested in all weather conditions in their area; they
primarily want to know hazardous weather information. Much of
this can be transmitted via e-mail or a web interface.
Occasionally there might be a need to contact the NWS via phone or
amateur radio. Here are some guidelines for different types of
weather conditions. Reports are very important for
verification, additionally reports should be as accurate as
possible.
Flooding:
Time and date of the
report.
Location of the report.
Area being flooded and estimate how much water.
Current conditions, still raining?
Estimate or measure how much rain has fallen or amount of rain per
unit time.
Severe Thunderstorm:
Time and date of the
report.
Location of the report.
Dominate hail size: measured or estimated.
Depth of hail on the ground, if applicable.
Duration of the hail, if applicable.
Wind Speed: measured or estimated. Typically is assumed
as a gust unless you provide a 5 minutes sustained wind speed
average. Note: When estimating wind speed, reduce your
best estimate by 10 mph. Even the most well trained weather
observer will over-estimate wind speed.
NOTE: Severe thunderstorms are defined as those having hail
larger than 0.75 inches and/or winds in excess of 57.4 mph.
Tornado:
Time and data of the
report.
Location of the report.
What you are seeing: Wall Cloud, Funnel, or Tornado.
How long or persistent has this feature been around.
Wall Clouds should be studied over a period of time, watch for
rotation and signs of upward motion. Take in the storm scale
features such as the rear-flank downdraft and Beaver's Tail, if they
exist.
Winter Weather:
Location of the
report.
Type of weather experienced: Snow, Freezing Rain/Drizzle,
Sleet, and Ice Pellets.
Rate at which the precipitation is falling.
Amount on the ground, measure in several places.
Duration of precipitation.
NOTE: Reports
should be provided in real-time or as close as possible. If
not real-time, then log as much information as possible and report
it to your local NWS office. Many offices now how online
report filing. Reports are an important part of the NWS watch
and warning verification system. Also, log latitude/longitude
if available,
especially when dealing with severe thunderstorms/tornadoes.
