Storm Spotter Page

In northeast Montana, there are approximately 1000 weather observers in the 12 counties and one reservation that NWS Glasgow serves.  Weather spotters are asked to report hazardous weather conditions, using an 800 phone number they are given during Skywarn Spotter training.  The general public is welcome to call the NWS in Glasgow at 406-228-4042.  The Skywarn Spotter courses are generally held in April and May in various locations around the region.  A training schedule is posted on the website each spring.

Weather Spotters are asked to report the following hazardous weather conditions in northeast Montana as soon as possible:

     1. Tornadoes, funnel clouds, waterspouts
     2. Hail of any size  (see hail size chart below)
     3. Winds sustained at 40 mph or higher and any gusts 55 mph or higher 
         (see wind estimation guidelines chart below)
     4. Snowfall, Total Snow Depth, Freezing Rain that is accumulating
     5. Significant damage from weather
     6. River Flooding, Flash Flooding, Small Creek Flooding, Ice Jams

Watch/Warning Criteria for Thunderstorms, Winds, Snow and Flooding (.pdf file - Download Adobe Reader)

Interested in reporting precipitation more frequently?  Join the CoCoRaHS (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow) weather spotter network. 

Spotter safety is our #1 priority with our weather spotter program.  We do not ask our weather spotters to chase storms in their area.  Rather we ask that they report from their location, but only if it is safe to do so. 

If you are not currently a weather spotter, but would like to be one, contact the NWS Glasgow via email or phone (406-228-4042).

Under the Big Sky Quarterly Newsletter 
• Winter 2008
• Fall 2007
• Summer 2007
• Spring 2007

Weather Spotters eletter (.pdf files - Download Adobe Reader) 
• September 12, 2008
• August 29, 2008
• August 15, 2008 - Simplified Winter Weather Products
• July 24, 2008
• July 11, 2008
• June 26, 2008
• June 13, 2008
• June 9, 2008
• May 22, 2008
• May 15, 2008
• April 22, 2008 - Green Edition
• April 4, 2008
• March 26, 2008
• March 14, 2008

Skywarn Spotter Resources:
1. Basic Spotters Guide
2. Advanced Spotters Guide
3. History of weather spotter program
4. Online Glossary of Weather Terms for Storm Spotters
5. Montana Hazardous Weather Guide

  Hail Size Comparison Chart

Pea	.25”	Golf Ball	1.75”
Half-inch	.50”	Hen Egg	2.00”
Penny	.75”	Tennis Ball	2.5”
Nickel	.88”	Baseball	2.75”
Quarter	1.00”	Tea Cup	3.00”
Half Dollar	1.25”	Grapefruit	4.00”
Ping Pong	1.5”	Softball	4.5”

  Note: Because they come in so many sizes, please do not report hail size as “marbles.”

  Guidelines for estimating wind speeds

30-44 mph (26-39 kts)	Whole trees in motion.  Inconvenient walking into the wind.  Light-weight loose objects (e.g., lawn furniture) tossed or toppled.
45-57 mph (39-49 kts)	Large trees bend; twigs, small limbs break and a few larger dead or weak branches may break.  Old/weak structures (e.g., sheds, barns) may sustain minor damage (roof, doors).  Buildings partially under construction may be damaged.  A few loose shingles removed from houses.
58-74 mph (50-64 kts)	Large limbs break; shallow rooted trees pushed over.  Semi-trucks overturned. More significant damage to old/weak structures.  Shingles, awnings removed from houses; damage to chimneys and antennas.
75-89 mph (65-77 kts)	Widespread damage to trees with large limbs down or trees broken/uprooted.  Mobile homes may be pushed off foundation or overturned.  Roof may be partially peeled off industrial/commercial/ warehouse buildings.  Some minor roof damage to homes.  Weak structures (e.g., farm buildings, airplane hangars) may be severely damaged.
90+ mph (78+ kts)	Many large trees broken and uprooted.  Mobile homes damaged. Roofs partially peeled off homes and buildings.  Moving automobiles pushed off the road. Barns, sheds demolished.