Learn more about SKYWARN^TM!

We ask our SkyWarn^TM Spotters to contact our office (via web form:Thunderstorms:Winter, or phone) when they experience any of the following things:

NEW WINTER CRITERIA!

• Snowfall (NEW CRITERIA!)
  
  • 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 (NEW CRITERIA!)
• Any occurrance, or accumulation, of freezing rain
• Accumulation of 1/4" or more of ice on trees/wires
• General Winter Reports (NEW!)
  • 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 (Be specific with regard to size; DO NOT report MARBLE size, as it is too ambiguous) Report in inches or relate it to a coin. Penny (3/4") 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)