Northern and East Central Nevada Spotter Program
Spotters Needed! Call Jeff Savadel at (775) 778-6716 or email
NEW ONLINE DISCUSSION FORUM
LIST SERVER
The NWS Elko office has created a list server through the Yahoo!Groups server. This list server is dedicated to all SKYWARNTM weather discussions and is open for all to post information on.
TO SUBSCRIBE: Send an email to elko_wfo_skywarn-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
TO UNSUBSCRIBE: Send an email to elko_wfo_skywarn-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Pleasant
weather usually dominates Northern and East Central
Nevada. But even we are susceptible to severe weather.
Thunderstorms can produce flash flooding, damaging winds,
hail and even tornadoes. Winter storms can bring heavy
snow and high winds throughout the Great Basin as well.
Even lightning places a critical role during the summer
months with the potential of starting fires.
To
effectively warn for the protection of life and property,
the National Weather Service must have a thorough handle
on current weather conditions throughout this region.
Unfortunately, long distances separate National Weather
Service offices. Although weather satellites and new
doppler weather radar use the latest technology to provide
a wealth of information to forecasters, no tool has
yet been developed that can replace a human observation
of the weather in a local area at a specific time. You
can help! By alerting us to significant weather events,
you become the "eyes and ears" of the National Weather
Service in your area and help us determine when and
where we need to issue warnings. Your participation
in the SKYWARNTM spotter program is entirely voluntary.
You are under no obligation and cannot be compensated.
However, your vigilance is valuable and greatly appreciated!
It helps others and could save lives. A
SKYWARNTM spotter is a person who observes significant
weather and relays the information to the National
Weather Service (NWS). When spotters note a significant
weather event, either from their homes or while on the
road, they call their local
weather service office and relay the information
in a brief, to-the-point message. Some areas within
the forecast area have little or no sources of weather
information. The spotter reports help fill those gaps
that radar and satellites can't cover.
The
spotters' data, which includes location, elevation and
a description of the severity of the conditions, can
help the NWS formulate and pinpoint advisories or warnings.
When appropriate, the NWS gives the information to flood
control agencies, the state Office of Emergency Services,
the county Office of Disaster Preparedness, various
police and fire departments and other agencies that
deal with weather-related emergencies. Sometimes, the
NWS will call a spotter for an observance if radar or
satellite images indicate something could be happening
in an area, even if there have been no reports. Spotters
can and do provide valuable confirmation.
The
NWS' SkywarnTM
system is a similar but more sophisticated and proactive
spotter network. During severe weather outbreaks, the
NWS activates Skywarn, and spotters in target areas
are notified. Skywarn spotters are then asked to relay
observances from locations near potential trouble spots.
Ok,
what do I do to become a spotter? If
you like the weather,
you can be a spotter!
If
you become a spotter, you
will help us at the National Weather
Service in Elko by observing significant weather
in your area. Your data, which includes location, elevation
and a description of the severity of the conditions,
can help the NWS formulate and pinpoint advisories or
warnings. When appropriate, the NWS gives the information
to flood control agencies, the state Office of Emergency
Services, the county Office of Disaster Preparedness,
various police and fire departments and other agencies
that deal with weather-related emergencies. Sometimes,
the NWS will call a spotter for an observance if radar
or satellite images indicate something could be happening
in an area, even if there have been no reports. Spotters
can and do provide valuable confirmation.
I'm
interested in becoming a spotter, how do I sign up? It's
easy! Just let us know you are interested. You can either
call us at (775) 778-6716 or email
the Weather Service in Elko and we will get you
signed up.
I'm
not a spotter, can I still report severe weather? Of
course you can! The NWS encourages input from everyone.
Remember, the NWS is here to serve YOU!
If severe weather is occuring near you, PLEASE
call us at (775) 778-6716.
Other
Websites and Resources on Storm Spotting
Basic Spotters Field Guide
An
illustrated
guide to spotting severe storms
Weather
Glossary for Spotters
Weather Safety and Spotter Training Schedule
National
Severe Storms Lab Weather Room |