Severe Weather Reporting Via Email

For non-ham members, you can now make severe weather reports via email.  Click here for more information.  This is for non-emergency reporting.  In an emergency or life-threatening situation, don't use email, call 9-1-1.

Reportable Conditions

The following items should be reported to net control and the NWS.  Be sure to know your current location.  You will need to provide it to net control (use commonly know markers such as highways).

 

 

Tornado

Break in and report immediately.

 

Funnel Cloud

Break in and report immediately.

 

Rotating Wall Cloud

Observe for 1-3 minutes, then report.

 

Non-Rotating Wall Cloud

Observe for 5-10 minutes, then report.

 

Hail

Report any size hail, the largest size, average size, and the approximate amount on the ground (example:  "covering the ground").

 

Wind Damage

Report damage caused by wind (roof damage, tree branches broken & the diameter of the branch, power lines down).  Only report wind speed if you measured it with an anemometer.  Estimated wind speeds are often incorrect-- we want accurate reports, not guesses.

 

Flash Flooding

Report "flowing" or "moving" water.  Flash flooding can wash away roads or sweep vehicles off the road.  Do NOT report ponding water.

 

Requested Information

Often times the NWS will ask for spotters to report any condition in a certain area.  If it is sunny or raining at the area being asked about, it is okay to report that. 

 

***NON-Reportable Conditions***

These are conditions that may occur that should NOT be reported unless asked for by net control or the NWS.  These things drive net control operators crazy!

 

Rain or Heavy Rain

It is safe to assume that rain will accompany severe weather.  This is NOT a reportable condition.

 

Lightning

Lightning cannot be predicted and it"s a good bet that lightning will occur during a thunderstorm.  This is NOT a reportable condition.

 

Ponding Water

When it rains, water collects in low-lying areas such as ditches and intersections (storm drains cannot keep up).  Ponding water is NOT a reportable condition.

 

Sirens Sounding

Yeah, sirens sound during severe weather.  And, the spotters and net control may have had a hand in making that happen.  You don't need to report that.

 

Dark Clouds

Are you kidding?  It happens too often.  Did I mention this stuff drives net control operators crazy?