Subj : Spotter Training
To : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Sat May 28 2016 07:06 pm
The National Weather Service is always looking for Skywarn Spotters. Even with
Doppler Radar all over the country, the radar can and can not see things, as
noted below:
1) Tornadoes - While radar can identify rotation in the severe thunderstorm
(gate-to-gate couplet) which would signal a tornado, the radar can not tell if
the tornado is on the ground, if it's a thin rope (stove pipe), or a wedge
(wider than it is tall). It also can't tell how wide the tornado is, and if
it's causing damage.
2) Hail - While radar can estimate hail size, it can not tell the actual size
that is reaching the ground. Significant Weather Advisories are issued for hail
with dime size (1/2 inch in diameter) or nickel size (3/4 inch in
diameter)...with Severe Thunderstorm Warnings issues for quarter size (1 inch
in diameter) or larger. These include sizes such as:
A) Half Dollar - 1.25"
B) Walnut/Ping Pong Ball - 1.50"
C) Golf Ball - 1.75"
D) Lime - 2 inches
E) Tennis Ball - 2.50"
F) Baseball - 2.75"
G) Large Apple - 3 inches
H) Softball - 4 inches
I) Grapefruit - 4.50"
J) CD/DVD - 5 inches
Above 1 inch in diameter will cause damage, injury, or death.
3) Wind - While the radar can estimate winds, actual damage is confirmed by the
spotter.
4) Flash Flooding - While the radar can estimate rainfall amounts and flooding,
spotter confirmation of the extent of flooding is appreciated.
Most National Weather Service Offices conduct Storm Spotter Training courses in
the spring, and in the fall. However, there is an Online Skywarn Spotter Course
available for those who can not make an "in person session". The course,
offered by MetEd, can be done in the privacy of ones residence, and it takes
about 2 hours to complete. It is at:
https://www.meted.ucar.edu/training_course.php?id=23
Spotters should go through a refresher course every 2 years.
Daryl Stout, WX1DER, Central Arkansas Certified Skywarn Spotter
P.S. Note that Storm Spotters are NOT the same as Storm Chasers...although some
chasers will also make severe weather reports to area National Weather Service
Offices.
---
� Synchronet � The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, AR - wx1der.dyndns.org
