• Any individual or weather enthusiast can be weather spotter volunteer. Spotter training is available online from the National Weather Service web page or conducted by National Weather Service personnel seaonally.
• HAM operators (ARES/RACES) - The local Spokane chapter of the ARES/RACES has worked closely with the NWS Spokane during severe weather events. They have developed a protocol of gathering reports and relaying them to the NWS office. If you have a HAM license and are interested in participating, contact the NWS Spokane.
• Law enforcement or Emergency Management - Upon receipt of any reliable severe or significant weather report, please relay to the NWS Spokane office via NAWAS or the telephone.

How:

• All spotters are encouraged to be pro-active in sending their reports to the National Weather Service. Please send your report to the NWS Spokane by phone. Please call (509) 244-0435; a toll free number is available and will be provided to registered weather spotters outside of Spokane. These are unlisted numbers and are only for your use in calling in weather reports!
• A registered weather spotter can send a report through the internet. Simply go to espotter.weather.gov to sign in, using your email address and a password of your choice (spotter IDs work well for passwords).
• In your report, there are some important elements that we are looking for. Please identify yourself with your spotter number or your name and location. Although we have your location on file, don't assume that the NWS employee on the other end has this information handy.
• It is important to state what you have seen. Please include the following pieces of information.

1. What you have seen: funnel cloud, wind damage, heavy rain, heavy snow, etc.
2. Where you saw it: the direction and distance from a known location, e.g., 3 miles south of Saint Maries.
3. When you saw it: make sure you note the time of your observation.
4. What it was doing: describe the storm's direction and speed of travel, size and intensity, and destructiveness. Include any amount of uncertainty as needed, i.e., "funnel cloud; no debris visible at the surface but too far away to be certain it is not on the ground."
5. Identify yourself and your location. Give your spotter code number and where you are.

When:

• Anytime you observe any of the weather conditions listed on the spotter checklist or observe any other significant or unusual weather event that you feel may be important, call the National Weather Service office in Spokane at (509) 244-0435.

Pea Size

Winter storms in the Inland Northwest occur when strong storms arrive from across the north Pacific. The vast Pacific Ocean provides an unlimited source of moisture, while cold air from the north has to filter through the many valleys. If cold enough, snow will fall and turning heavy in the mountains.

Heavy Snow can immobilize a region. Large accumulations of snow can collapse buildings and knock down trees and power lines. In the mountains, heavy snow can lead to avalanches and close roadways.

Ice Storms occur when rain falls in region where surface temperatures are below freezing. Even small accumulation of ice may cause extreme hazards to motorists and pedestrians. Icy buildups of up to a half of an inch can lead to downed trees and power lines.

Flooding begins when soil and vegetation cannot absorb the falling rain or melting snow, and when water runs off the land in such quantities that it cannot be carried away quickly enough in stream channels. In general, flooding is usually a longer term event and my last a week or more.

River Flooding - Flooding along rivers is a natural and inevitable part of life. The majority of floods in the Inland Northwest occur seasonally when winter or spring rains coupled with melting snow, fill river basins with too much water too quickly.

Urban Flooding - As land is converted from fields or woodlands to roads and parking lots, its looses its ability to absorb rainfall. Urbanization increases runoff 2 to 6 times over what would occur on natural terrain. During periods of urban flooding, streets can become swift moving rivers while basements fill with water.

Ice Jam - Floating ice can accumulate at a natural or manmade obstruction and stop the flow of water. This can lead to flooding in and around the river channel.

Flash Flooding occurs within 6 hours of the rain event. It is the most susceptible on small streams and in mountainous areas. When torrential thunderstorms rains move upstream to the headwaters, rapid rises on the rivers can occur.

Thunderstorm - A storm accompanied by lightning and thunder is produced by a cumulonimbus cloud, usually with gusty winds, heavy rain, and sometimes hail. Non-severe thunderstorms rarely have lifetimes over two hours. A typical, non-severe thunderstorm life cycle consists of three stages:

(1) CUMULUS STAGE: warm, moist air rises (updraft) and condenses into tiny water droplets which make up the visible cloud.

(2) MATURE STAGE: the cloud grows above the freezing level; precipitation forms and becomes heavy enough to fall back to earth. This precipitation generates cool air which also sinks back to earth with the precipitation.

(3) DISSIPATION STAGE: cool rain and downdraft spread throughout the storm replacing the updraft which is the lifeblood of the thunderstorm. The visible cumulonimbus cloud becomes softer in appearance, less distinctly outlined or "fuzzy" and dissipates, sometimes leaving only the high anvil cloud, as the storm rains itself out.

Severe Thunderstorm -All thunderstorms are capable of producing tornadoes. Strong to violent tornadoes are usually associated with what we shall call the Tornadic Thunderstorm. Other significant tornadoes do occasionally occur with Squall Line Thunderstorms.

Tornadic Thunderstorm-These thunderstorms are usually separated from other thunderstorms or may even be isolated. This separation allows theses storms to feed upon warm moist air from miles around, developing its own organization and rotation. At the top of the storm, a distinct anvil cloud forms. With precipitation, downdrafts are created.

Tornado -vary greatly in appearance and intensity, ranging from the violent type to the very weak and short-lived ones that last only a few seconds. Most tornadoes that occur in the Inland Northwest form quickly and last only several minutes. However they can still kill or injure and produce significant property damage.

Tornado Look-Alikes - Virga are often reported as tornadoes. Although it looks similar to a tornado its edges are much less distinct. Mammatus clouds are also mistaken for tornadoes. While mammatus often accompany severe thunderstorms, they are not severe in themselves and may also accompany non-severe thunderstorms. The feature most often mistaken for a tornado is a scud cloud. These are ragged, low cloud fragments which usually are not attached to the cloud base. The key LOOK FOR ORGANIZED AND SUSTAINED ROTATION.

Do not take risks to observe severe weather events. Your safety is the most important!

• The first sign of a tornado may not be a funnel at the cloud base. Your first clue may be debris or dust at the surface, so be alert to events at ground level, as well as in the clouds. Although a loud roar is frequently associated with a tornado, strong straight-line winds can also produce such a sound.

• Use a map to determine distances and directions to known landmarks such as water towers, TV towers, etc. This will help you estimate distance and direction in your reports. Mobile spotters should always have up-to-date maps and be familiar with the area in which they are operating.

• It is helpful to use binoculars to look for rotation and other cloud features. Once you spot a funnel or tornado, be alert for the formation of others in the area.

• If you find yourself in large hail, report it immediately. Large hail will often fall in advance of a tornado. Hail is an excellent reflector of the color green. The sky may turn a shade of green before hail falls.

• Always follow the basic safety rules. In open country, a spotter may be able to use knowledge of the storm's motion and available escape routes to drive away safely. In urban area this is usually not possible because of traffic congestion. Make certain your family knows what to do in a severe weather emergency, as you may not be available to assist or direct them.

• Look out for rising water. Nearly half of all flash flood fatalities are auto related. Avoid driving through flooding in highway dips and low areas. A depth of two feet of water moving at 6 mph will carry away most automobiles.
  
  
• Avoid overexertion, such as shoveling heavy snow, pushing a car or walking in deep snow over a long period of time. The strain from the cold and the hard labor may cause a heart attack. Sweating could lead to a chill and hypothermia. You should wear layers of loose-fitting, light weight, warm clothing.
  
  
• Carry a Storm Survival kit in your car. It should contain blankets, flashlights, first-aid kit, non-perishable food, knife, extra clothes, sand, shovel, windshield scraper, brush, tool kit, tow rope, booster cables, water, compass, maps and matches.
  
  
• Have a safe place nearby for protection from hazardous weather. Cars are safe places for lightning but not for tornadoes. NEVER try to outrun or drive away from an approaching tornado. Rather, seek shelter in a basement if possible. If caught outdoors, lie down in a ditch or culvert.