I want to begin by saying, “Thank You” to everyone who monitored during the severe weather event on Sunday, 15 April 2018.  We were able to submit and confirm several reports to the NWS officials.

One of the biggest lessons learned from these weather events is that we need to remember what our role is with the NWS.  We are “I witnessed” weather, not “I heard about” weather.  Throughout the events of the day, we had several reports or weather reports that were heard over the weather radio, on the TV, or on the scanner.  We also had several many credible, “I witness” weather reports.  We need to remember that our reports to the NWS need to be as accurate as possible.  They trust us to give them good information, and they post that information as coming from “Amateur operators.  If we are passing partial or inaccurate info, that can not only make us look bad but the NWS as well.

In addition we need to remember what to report:

• A TORNADO, Waterspout or Funnel Cloud  (Please call us immediately with these reports at 1-800-499-1594 Option 1)
• DANGEROUS or SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS: Strong Damaging Winds or Large Hail
• DAMAGING WINDS: Tree Damage or any Structural Damage
• UNUSUALLY FREQUENT CLOUD to GROUND LIGHTNING: Any Lightning Damage or Injury
• HAIL: Any size or duration
• HEAVY RAIN: Especially an inch or more in a short time, or greater than 2 inches in an hour
• FLOODING: Anything from minor to Significant/Widespread Flooding, including River Flooding as well as any Coastal Flooding
• SNOW, SLEET or FREEZING RAIN: Of any Intensity or Duration
• DENSE FOG: Widespread Dense Fog with Visibility less than one-quarter of a mile and impacting travel

If you have photos of the damage or the storm, the NWS loves to have those, HOWEVER, do not risk your own safety to get a “cool” photo.  Your safety is more important than a photo.

Again, thank you for your continued support of  Skywarn and the National Weather Service.