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).

For Under the Big Sky Quarterly Newsletters, you can find them here.

Weather Spotters eletter (.pdf files - Download Adobe Reader) 
August 17, 2009
July 27, 2009
July 13, 2009
June 26, 2009
June 10, 2009
June 1, 2009
May 21, 2009
May 6, 2009
April 24, 2009
April 14, 2009
March 27, 2009
March 10, 2009
February 18, 2009
February 3, 2009
January 25, 2009
January 07, 2009
November 15, 2008
October 24, 2008
October 10, 2008
September 25, 2008
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

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.