Severe Weather Reporting Criteria: What and How To Report

Severe Weather Reporting Criteria What and How To Report

=====================================================================

WHAT TO REPORT:

Hail: Any size. JAX has advised that dime-sized especially is beginning to approach severe limits; but any size hail should be reported as it too is an indicator and NWS-JAX wants to know about it. Relate to coin size, if possible...BUT DO NOT USE MARBLE SIZES AS DESCRIPTION. As of Jan. 5, 2010, the severe criterion for hail diameter was bumped up to 1" (from 3/4").

Severe winds/wind damage: Wind gusts of 58 mph or higher (indicate whether winds were measured or estimated by the observer) and/or damage caused by the wind (downed trees, large branches, power lines, damage to structures, etc.).

Funnel cloud: Look for persistent, rapid rotation. Report location (relative to some well-known landmark), apparent movement, and time of event. Please be as descriptive as possible and especially indicate whether funnel appeared to be reaching the ground.

Tornado: Look for rotation and debris coming up from surface. Report location (relative to some well-known landmark), apparent movement, and time of event. Please be as descriptive as possible and especially indicate whether the funnel appeared to be reaching the ground.

Waterspout: Look for rotation and spray/debris coming up from surface of water. Report location (relative to some well-known landmark), apparent movement, and time of event are important.

Flooding: Especially where water covers a road or highway or where damage to property is occurring or imminent.

Damage: Weather-related damage to structures (houses, buildings, barns, cars) or trees.

HOW TO REPORT:

If you do not have a radio with an active SKYWARN Net to report to, you should call NWS-Jax using the 800-number on your Spotter ID Card. Identify yourself using the information upon the front of the card, and issue your report according to the instructions upon the back of the card.
If you are an amateur radio operator, you should pass the report to the NCS of the local SKYWARN Net, instead. The NCS will then relay your report to NWS-Jax and to the Alachua Co. Ofc. of Emergency Management

=====================================================================

[ Top of Page]

Last updated: September 23, 2011.