Sky Warn Reporting

SKYWARN Spotter Program
(What to Report and How to Report)

Learn more about SKYWARNTM!

See a video on how to properly measure snowfall

Our NEW Spotter Report e:mail address: ctp.stormreports@noaa.gov (send e:mail)
Please use the 800 number printed on your Skywarn Spotter ID card (BEST/MOST RELIABLE OPTION) OR
Use e:Spotter (web entry form)	or use the automated phone system (1-877-633-6772)
We ask our SkyWarnTM Spotters to contact our office when they experience any of the events listed below.

Both e:Spotter and the automated phone system were set up to enable Severe Weather Reporting for NWS Spotters, and the general public. Your severe weather reports reach forecasters in real time and, after quality control, may be included in a Local Storm Report (LSR) product. Information included in Local Storm Reports is also plotted on a map in real time along with Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado Warning polygons.

Click on this map to see the latest severe weather and snowfall reports during the past 72 hours.

Local Storm Reports

 

Cold-Season (Winter) criteria:

Warm-season (Thunderstorms) criteria:

• Snowfall
  • When (new) snow accumulation reaches 3 inches
  • When (new) snow accumulation reaches 6 inches
  • Give a final report/total at the end of the storm (water equivalent if possible)
  • 1 inch per hour or greater accumulation rates
• Ice
  • Any occurrance, or accumulation, of freezing rain
  • Accumulation of 1/4" or more of ice on trees/wires
• General Winter Reports
  • When forecast winter precipitation differs significantly from observed (i.e. snowing with no snow in forecast, sleet...when only snow is forecast...)
  • Any other significant weather occurrence/oddity (i.e. flooding due to snow melt/ice jam, damage from strong winds not associated with a thunderstorm)
  • Tornadoes or funnel clouds (be very wary of look-alikes; watch for rotation)
  • Wall clouds, especially if they are rotating
  • Hail (Please be specific with regard to size)

    Other sizes/descriptions to use for hail:
    
    * Pea 0.25 - .375 inch
    
    * Penny 0.75 inch
    
    * Nickel 0.88 inch
    
    * Quarter 1.00 inch (15/16")
    
    * Half dollar 1.25 inch
    
    * Walnut/Ping Pong 1.50 inch
    
    * Golf ball 1.75 inch
    
    * Lime 2.00 inches
    
    * Tennis Ball 2.50 inches
    
    * Baseball 2.75 inches
    
    * Large Apple 3.00 inches
    
    * Softball 4.00 inches
    
    * Grapefruit 4.50 inches
    
    * Computer CD/DVD 4.75 - 5.00 inches
    

    • Quarter-Size (1") and larger is severe!
  • Wind Gusts (40 mph or greater; specify whether estimated or recorded)
    • large branches downed (specify diameter of branch)
    • Trees/power lines downed
    • Structural damage to buildings (roof, windows, etc.)
  • Rainfall
    • 1 inch or greater in an hour (NOT a 1"/hr. rate for 10 minutes)
    • 2 inches or greater storm total
  • Flooding
    • Streams/Rivers -- also, when nearing bankfull
    • Street (when more than the usual poor drainage puddles)