Spotter Training Information

Upcoming Spotter Training Sessions Info:

(Dates are Below. Spotter Show Slideshow Download)

Current Severe Weather Information

Reference Information

What makes a thunderstorm Severe?
- Hail 1" or larger, and/or Wind gusts 58 mph or greater, and/or a Tornado
- Hail Size Chart & Wind Speed Estimate
Training:
- Upcoming Spotter Training Sessions
- Online Spotter Training (from COMET)
- Indianapolis Spotter Brochure (PDF)
- Advanced Storm Spotting Guide (PDF)
- Cloud Chart
Additional Programs that Assist Warning Decisions, Forecasting, and Research:
- CoCoRaHS - A network of volunteers measuring precipitation data
- mPING - Precipitation type reports

Send in a Report

Reference Information

Hail Size Chart: (diameter in inches)

Pea Size: 0.25 inches
Small Marble: 0.50 inches
Penny: 0.75 inches
Nickel: 0.88 inches
Any hail size below is severe thunderstorm criteria:
Quarter: 1.00 inches
Half Dollar: 1.25 inches
Ping Pong Ball: 1.50
Golf Ball: 1.75 inches
Hen Egg: 2.00 inches
Tennis Ball: 2.50 inches
Baseball: 2.75 inches
Grapefruit: 4.00 inches
Softball: 4.50 inches

Wind Speed Estimate:

25-31 mph: Large branches in motion; whistling heard in telephone wires.
32-38 mph: Whole trees in motion; inconvenience felt walking against the wind.
39-54 mph: Twigs break off trees; wind generally impedes progress.
55-72 mph: Damage to chimneys and TV antennas; pushes over shallow rooted trees.
73-112 mph: Peels surfaces off roofs; windows broken; light mobile homes pushed or overturned; moving cars pushed off road.
113-157 mph: Roofs torn off houses; cars lifted off ground.

Spotter Training Classes

The 2021 Spotter Training will be online! See below for specific times and registering links. Spotter training is also available anytime from our partners at COMET. Spotter Show Slideshow Download

Frequently Asked Questions about LIVE ONLINE Spotter Training Sessions

Do I need to preregister for these sessions? YES. Click on the link specific to the date/time that you plan to attend to register. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please check your spam folder in email. If it's not there, then please register again
About how long do the sessions last? Approximately 2 hours.
How many of these training sessions do I have to attend? Just one. All sessions will contain the same content.

Date	Click Link to Register For Session
No training currently scheduled	N/A