Western Washington Skywarn
(TM) Reporting Criteria
CALL THE SEATTLE WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IF YOU OBSERVE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
TORNADO, WATERSPOUT, FUNNEL CLOUD, WALL CLOUD -
Location, time, and direction of movement. Is it still visible? Watch for rotation in the cloud(s). Any damage?
HAIL - Pea-sized or larger. Any damage?
LIGHTNING - Frequent (4 or more per minute) cloud-to-ground lightning in forested areas.
DAMAGING WINDS - Trees/power lines knocked down, damage to homes, etc. If you have an anemometer, report any sustained winds over 35 MPH or gusts over 50 mph. Can also use the Beaufort Scale for an estimate. Note: sustained winds are a one minute average.
HEAVY RAIN - One-half (0.50) inch in one hour. Two inches or more in 24 hours or less. Has it ended?
FLOODING - OF ANY KIND! Are waters rising or falling? Any damage, mud or rock slides, and/or roads
blocked?
SNOW - One inch accumulation or more in three hours. 4 inches in 12 hours or less.
FREEZING PRECIPITATION - Any accumulation of sleet or freezing rain/drizzle.
POOR VISIBILITY - Reduced visibility adversely impacting transportation. Less than one-half miles for:
BLOWING DUST and VOLCANIC ASH. Less than 300 feet for: DENSE FOG and BLOWING SNOW.
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National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather,
hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings for
the United States, its territories, adjacent waters
and ocean areas, for the protection of life and
property and the enhancement of the national economy.
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the public, and the global community."
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