SKWARNLP.gif (2502 bytes)BLACKSBURG'S SKYWARNTM SPOTTER PAGESKWARNLP.gif (2502 bytes)

 

2008 Skywarn Spotter Class Schedule new

If  you have any questions about SKYWARNTM classes or being a spotter,
please contact our Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Phil Hysell.

What is SKYWARNTM?

How to report severe weather

Resources of weather information

SKYWARNTM Online Presentation

WHAT IS SKYWARNTM? 

SKYWARNTM is a nationwide network of volunteer severe weather spotters. The program is an effort to save lives and property during severe or significant weather emergencies. All you need to do to become a member of the SKYWARNTM volunteer network is to attend a SKYWARNTM spotter training talk. SKYWARNTM spotters are an integral part of the detection and warning process. SKYWARNTM spotters assist the National Weather Service by providing information on what storms are actually doing (tress blown down, a tornado moving through the countryside, flood waters washing out a bridge or a dangerous glaze of ice on roads and wires). SKYWARNTM spotters are trained at spotting tornadoes, funnel clouds and severe thunderstorms. They are informed on how to report hail, strong winds, heavy rain, floods and heavy snow. Forecasters at the National Weather Service combine information from spotters with that from radar, satellite, lightning detection equipment and other tools to provide timely and accurate statements and warnings, provide timely and accurate statements and warnings. SKYWARNTM volunteers include law enforcement personnel, emergency managers, amateur radio operators, the general public and others.

GUIDE TO ESTIMATING WIND SPEEDS:

MPH 

 Beaufort Wind Speed Evaluation Chart
0   Smoke rises vertically

1-3

  Direction of wind shown by smoke drift but not by wind vanes
4-7 Wind felt on face, leaves rustle, ordinary wind vane moved by wind
8-12  Leaves and small twigs in motion, light flags extended
13-18 Dust raised, loose paper raised, small branches move
19-24 Small leafy tress sway, crested wavelets form on lakes and ponds
25-31 Large branches in motion, whistling in telephone wires or link fences
32-38 Whole trees in motion, inconvenience felt walking against wind
39-46 Twigs break off trees, impedes progress walking
47-54 Small branches break off dead or diseased trees
55-63

 Slight structural damage (chimneys and shingles), branches break off  healthy trees with leaves
64-72

Large branches of trees broken off, trees with leaves uprooted, structural damage mostly to roofs
73+

 Damage to structures major and widespread, many roofs and windows damaged


Guide to Hail Sizes

HAIL DIAMETER SIZE

DESCRIPTION 
1/4"
 Pea Size 
3/4" (Severe Criteria)
Penny
Size 
7/8"
 Nickel Size 
1"
Quarter Size 
1 1/4" 
Half Dollar Size 
1 1/2" 
Walnut or Ping Pong Ball Size 
1 3/4"
Golf Ball Size
2"
Hen Egg Size 
2 1/2"
Tennis Ball Size 
2 3/4" 
Baseball Size 
3"
Teacup Size 
4"
Grapefruit Size 
4 1/2"
Softball Size 

REPORTING PROCEDURES:

1.     CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG:

(For the criteria listed below)

A.    AMATEUR RADIO (146.745 MHz or 147.180 MHz)

B.     TELEPHONE 1-540-552-0084

C.     For Delayed Reports Only: E-mail Us

2.     IDENTIFY YOURSELF

A.     “SKYWARNTM SPOTTER”

3.     LOCATION OF THE EVENT

A.     COUNTY AND STATE

B.      YOUR POSITION RELATIVE TO A KNOWN TOWN/LANDMARK (7 MILES WEST OF GALAX)

C.     IF THE EVENT IS NOT OCCURRING WHERE YOU ARE, YOUR POSITION RELATIVE TO THE EVENT/STORM (LOOKING 3 MILES NORTH OF MY LOCATION)

4.     REPORTING CRITERIA (MOST IMPORTANT AT THE TOP):

A.     TORNADO

B.      FUNNEL CLOUD

C.     FLASH FLOODING

D.     DAMAGE, INJURIES OR LOSS OF LIFE AND/OR PROPERTY CAUSED BY FLOODS, WIND, HAIL AND TORNADOES.  (IF TREE DAMAGE, DETERMINE THE DIAMETER OF THE LIMBS.  LIVE TREE LIMBS 4 INCHES
IN DIAMETER MANY TIMES INDICATE THAT WINDS IN EXCESS OF 58 MILES AN HOUR OCCURRED)

E.      ROTATING WALL CLOUD

F.      HAIL WITH A DIAMETER OF GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 1/2 INCH. (REPORT THE LARGEST HAIL SIZE.  (PLEASE DO NOT USE THE TERM MARBLE SIZE HAIL.)

G.     WIND GUSTS (MEASURED OR ESTIMATED) OF GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 50 MPH

H.     RAINFALL OF GREATER THAN 1 INCH PER HOUR.

5.     TIME:

A.     TIME OF THE EVENT/STORM

B.      DURATION OF EVENT

C.     IS THE EVENT STILL IN PROGRESS?

 
For Winter Weather reporting click here

The Routine Weather Brief

BEFORE WORK

1)     NOAA Weather Radio – 5-6 minute cycle. Get the latest information: public forecasts, current weather, and watches/warnings.

2)     Check you local or cable television station or radio.

AT Work/Home

    Internet – Access the latest data and information from various sources.


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