WHAT TO REPORT
Please report the following IMMEDIATELY
to NWS Salt Lake City via the Severe Weather Spotter Line. Reports/pictures
following the event can be sent via email to utah.spotter@noaa.gov.
Flooding/Flash Flooding/Heavy Rainfall
* Rapid rise of water along a stream, wash, or low lying
area after a heavy rainfall
* Water unusually high or flowing faster than normal
* Water approaching bankfull or nearing roads/structures
* Inch or more of rainfall observed in a short duration
* Any observed flooding
* Debris flows
Winter Weather
* Snowfall accumulations (how much in what time period)
* Snow depth
* Freezing rain accumulation
* Precipitation type changes
Fire Weather
* New wildfire threatening life/property
* Smoke reducing visibilities to less than 2 miles
* Weather pattern change that could give insight to NWS forecasters
Convective Weather
* Tornado - Violently rotating column of air that touches
the ground
* Funnel Cloud -Violently rotating column of air that does not reach the
ground (watch for rotation)
* Wall Cloud - An isolated lowering from a cumulonimbus cloudbase that resembles
a pedestal (watch for rotation and persistence)
* Hail of any size
* Wind Damage - structural, trees uprooted, and/or large healthy limbs down
* WInd Speed - approximately 50 mph or stronger
Reports should provide as much detail as possible to describe the where,
when, how, etc of the event.
COMMONLY USED HAIL SIZES
Please report hail sizes using the diameter of the largest
hailstone, or by referencing an appropriate coin or ball which represents
the size of the largest hailstone. Avoid using terms like "marble size hail,"
as marbles come in different sizes. The table below offers some commonly
referenced hail sizes.
| Pea |
.25 inch |
Golf Ball |
1.75 inch |
| Half-inch |
.50 inch |
Hen Egg |
2.00 inch |
| Dime |
.75 inch |
Tennis Ball |
2.50 inch |
| Nickel |
.88 inch |
Baseball |
2.75 inch |
| Quarter |
1.00 inch |
Tea Cup |
3.00 inch |
| Half Dollar |
1.25 inch |
Grapefruit |
4.00 inch |
| Ping Pong Ball |
1.50 inch |
Softball |
4.50 inch |
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR REPORTING WINDSPEED
Wind is best measured using an anemometer (an instrument
which measures wind speed). If an anemometer is not available, wind speed
can be estimated based on the movement of trees, flags, etc... The table
below can be used to help estimate wind speed.
| 30-44 mph (26-39 kt) |
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 kt) |
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 kt) |
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 kt) |
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+ kt) |
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. |
HOW TO REPORT
Your severe weather report should be detailed but concise, and
should address the following questions:
WHAT did you see?
WHERE did you see it?
Report the location/approximate location of the event. Be sure to distinguish
clearly between where you are and where the event is thought to be happening
(“I’m 5 miles north of Mayberry. The tornado looks to be about
5 miles to my northwest”).
WHEN did you see it?
Be sure that reports that are relayed through multiple sources carry the
time of the event, NOT the report time.
Any other details that are important - How long did it last?
Direction of travel? Was there damage? etc.
|
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