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OCEMA Ogle County Emergency Management Agency email:
eoc@oglecounty.org |
Spotters Information Weather FAQ's Winter Weather Definitions Fujita Scale
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The Spotter's Role
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Your real-time observations of severe weather assist the National Weather Service in our warning decisions.
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You provide an in invaluable service.
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These observations provide a truly reliable information base for sever weather detection and verification.
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You are helping to provide the citizens of your community with potentially life saving information.
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The information you provide may be the reason a warning is issued and provides credibility to the warning.
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You don't need a degree in Meteorology to visually evaluate and report the severity of a thunderstorm!
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With all of the technology we now possess, the trained eye of the storm spotter is our greatest asset!
Spotter Coordination
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It is essential that spotter networks have a clear set of policies and procedures for reporting severe weather.
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Amateur radio operators, law enforcement and local fire departments compose the backbone of our spotter network.
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Spotting is not a one-person job. It is difficult for a single person to accurately observe all aspects of a thunderstorm. Teamwork is essential.
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Coordination is the key to a successful mission. Share your information with the NWS and with other spotter groups in your area.
Spotter Safety Tips
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The National Weather Service values your safety more than the observations you provide!
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When spotting, travel in pairs if possible. This allow the driver to remain focused, while the passenger keeps an eye on the sky.
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Remain aware of the local environment at all times.
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Keep a two mile buffer zone between you and the storm. Always have an escape route available.
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Remember, lightning is one of the top-ranked killers among weather phenomena. Even ahead of tornadoes and hurricanes.
Mobile Spotting Safety
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Have an escape route in mind, remember, most storms move from west to east, however, thunderstorms can move in any direction and at any speed.
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Never 'core punch' a severe thunderstorm. you will often run into blinding rain and damaging hail, and may be confronted with a violent tornado at the same time.
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Try to stay on the south side of the storm, you will often have a better vantage point.
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Be selective about your route. Stay on paved roads if possible, isolated dirt roads and heavy rainfall don't mix when a potential tornado may threaten your area!
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Follow all road rules, and watch your speed.
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Night-time spotting is difficult, it's easy to be caught close to danger when you can't readily observe your surroundings.