Dangerous Heat Expands; Heavy Rainfall Threats; Fire Weather Concerns for the West

The heat will increase and expand across the Central Plains, Mississippi Valley, Southeast and into the Eastern U.S. through the week as high pressure builds across the eastern two-thirds of the country. On the northern periphery of this heat, the threat for severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across the northern Plains and upper Midwest through Tuesday. Critical Fire Weather for the west. Read More >

If you would like to report severe weather, the best way to contact us is by calling toll free at 1-800-446-1428. Skywarn™ Spotters and the general public can also provide us reports in other ways. Skywarn™ Spotters are an important asset to the NWS. If are interested in becoming a Skywarn™ Spotter then check out this link.

Other ways to report severe weather:

Storm reports can be submitted through the use of social media. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Your severe weather reports reach forecasters in real time and, after quality control, may be included in a Local Storm Report (LSR) product.

If you experience any of the following,

Please Report It!

Thunderstorm Criteria:

Hail (Be specific with regard to size)
- Report any size and specify diameter.
- Quarter-sized (1") and larger is severe!
- Hail Sizes Chart
Wind Gusts
- 58 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 and every inch thereafter
- 2 inches or greater storm total
Flooding
- Report any flooding
- Streams/Rivers -- also, when nearing bankfull
- Street (depth of water)
Low visibility due to:
- Blowing dust or sand.
- Fog
Tornadoes or funnel clouds (be very wary of look-alikes; watch for rotation)
- Rotating appendage from a cumulonimbus cloud not touching the ground

Winter Criteria:

Heavy Snowfall
- When snow rates of 1" per hour are occurring.
- Then accumulations at 4 inches, 6 inches, and every 3 inches thereafter (eg. 2,4,6,9,12,etc)
- Give a final report/total at the end of the storm
- Thunder Snow - time and location
Ice
- Any occurrence, or accumulation, of freezing rain
- Accumulation of 1/4" or more
High Winds:
- â€‹Report gusts over 50 mph.
- Damage of any kind including trees and branches broken or blown down and downed power poles causing power outages.
Low visibility due to:
- Blowing dust
- Blowing snow.
Flooding
- Report any flooding
General Winter Reports
- When forecast differs significantly from observed (i.e. snowing with no snow in forecast, sleet...when only snow is forecast...)
- Any other significant weather occurrence(i.e. damage from strong winds not associated with a thunderstorm)

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Dangerous Heat Expands; Heavy Rainfall Threats; Fire Weather Concerns for the West

Storm Report

Thunderstorm Criteria:

Winter Criteria: