2022 Virtual Storm Spotter Training Schedule
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Springfield, Missouri will be offering four Virtual Storm Spotter Training. The virtual training sessions are entirely free and open to new and seasoned spotters alike. Virtual presentations are conducted using GoToWebinar. Virtual training courses have concluded for 2022. Check out our Youtube recording of the NWS Springfield Virtual Storm Spotter Training for Spring 2022.
Date | Time | Registration Link |
March 17, 2022 | 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Completed |
March 19, 2022 | 10:00am - 11:00am | Completed |
April 5, 2022 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Completed |
April 12, 2022 | 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Completed |
Follow NWS Springfield for any updates to scheduling in the event active weather or other conflicts result in postponement.
Spotter Presentation Details
Reporting Basics
WHO are you?
Public, Law enforcement, Emergency management, etc.
WHAT occurred?
WHEN was it?
WHERE was it?
Use proper terms (Wall cloud, funnel cloud, etc)
DO NOT EXAGGERATE – Lives are at risk!
How confident are you? (Wall, Funnel Cloud, Tornado)
Location should be address/lat-lon/intersection (Can be estimated miles from city)
Follow up, if necessary.
Reporting Information
What to Report?
Tornadoes
Wall Clouds & Funnel Clouds
Hail
Hail Size | Inches |
---|---|
Pea | 1/4 |
Dime | 1/2 |
Penny | 3/4 |
Nickel | 7/8 |
Quarter | 1 |
Half Dollar | 1 1/4 |
Ping Pong Ball | 1 1/2 |
Golf Ball | 1 3/4 |
Hen Egg | 2 |
Tennis Ball | 2 1/2 |
Baseball | 2 3/4 |
Softball | 4 |
Grapefruit | 4 1/2 |
Damaging Winds
Speed (mph) |
Designation | Description |
---|---|---|
<1 | Calm | Smoke rises vertically |
1-3 | Light air | Smoke drift indicates wind direction |
4-7 | Light breeze | Weather vane moves, leaves rustle |
8-12 | Light breeze | Leaves and twigs in constant motion |
13-18 | Mod breeze | Dust raised, small branches move |
19-24 | Fresh breeze | Small trees sway |
25-31 | Strong breeze | Large branches move |
32-38 | Moderate gale | Whole trees move, walking affected |
39-46 | Fresh gale | Twigs break off trees, walking difficult |
47-54 | Strong gale | Minor structural damage |
55-63 | Whole gale | Large tree branches break |
64-74 | Storm | Widespread damage |
Flash Flooding & Heavy Rain
Snow & Ice
Spotter Resources
Missouri and Kansas Spotter Networks