Cell phone severe weather reporting

January 6th, 2009

What's the latest state of severe weather reporting by cell phone? Obviously not all chasers have mobile Internet to submit the WSFO web forms I've seen, so do various offices invite chasers at large to call in? Do some discourage this or ignore it? What have your experiences been with calling a report in the past year or so?

This is partly to shed some light on this issue for my Storm Chasing Handbook revision but I'm sure the discussion will benefit everyone.

Tim

I have had only very positive experiences calling the NWS directly. My contact numbers came from Chris Novy (I believe he was the one who provided the list originally) I run the spotter network and list my cell phone number on it. Last year, I had the NWS call me wanting to know what the storm I was on looked like. They were contemplating issuing a tornado warning on it, but wanted to know what it really looked like.

Are most NWS offices using the SpotterNetwork?

The following url is to a map, showing WFOs (colored in red) that currently participate to directly receive Spotter Network reports into AWIPS. Note, though not on this map, San Angelo and Los Angeles participate too.

http://stormeyes.org/pietrycha/tmp/cwa3.gif

--Al

The following url is to a map, showing WFOs (colored in red) that currently participate to directly receive Spotter Network reports into AWIPS. Note, though not on this map, San Angelo and Los Angeles participate too.

So, if we report via Spotter Network, do we need to go ahead an phone it in?

Using the phone would be faster and you would be able to answer any questions.

We have a script set up that grabs any eSpotter or SpotterNetwork report for our area and sends it to our AWIPS workstations, where an alarm notifies forecasters of the report. Depending on the situation, we may also monitor SpotterNetwork live, and have made phone calls to chasers for reports on storm of interest.

RIck

Are most NWS offices using the SpotterNetwork? It seems like a great why to link the mobile spotter/chasers with the appropriate NWS office. I hope that the higher-ups at the NWS realize the importance of this link and direct all offices to utilize this service. IMHO it is the difference between blind nowcasting and nowcasting with eyes all over the place.

When I first started chasing, I didn't have any fancy gadgets. We would call back to base support and get our data that way. The only way I had to report was by cell phone. I made a report one time for a storm that had 3/4" hail. The NWS was waiting for a report to warn on it as it was very borderline. I then called my uncle to warn him and heard his Wx Radio go off in the background with the warning. Fast forward to now, I work the HAM radio desk at the local NWS office. They get cell phone calls and treat them like a report coming from my desk. Most reports can be helpful and ignoring a form of submission can be very counterintuitive.

I've had positive experiences when calling in to make a report. This will be my first year chasing with a ham radio, but in previous years I have called in reports to the NWS and had nothing but good experiences.

I have never had a problem, either with other NWS offices or in my own area. I think it helps to have been Skywarn trained at least for credibility. I always mention my ID number and place of training when I call in a report in addition to stating that I am a "storm chaser".

Bill Hark

Seems like a mixed bag in my very-recent experience.

Well, it's been a little while since I had any negative experience, but in 2004 and 2005 I had cell reports of tornadoes blown off by WFO's. It may well be that another spotter's report conflicted with mine, but it was frustrating, to say the least. In all cases, I relayed location, specifics, and my SkyWarn spotter number. Hopefully, those were isolated events. I would hate to think someone could sustain serious injury or death due to an ignored report. I do think 911 is at least a good follow-up, as a report from law enforcement might not be treated lightly.

I have personally never had a problem in reporting to local NWS offices nation wide. This would include various ways in doing so however...via ham radio, cell phone, e-spotter and the like. If I am not able to get the report out by one means, certainly I will try another and generally find that most of the NWSFO are more than willing to talk/speak with me regarding said report. A perfect example of this would be the Greensburg event. While there were quite a few chasers/spotters on hand giving reports, DDG did a wonderful job taking phone calls and the like which as we all know ultimatly helped to save lives.

What's the latest state of severe weather reporting by cell phone? Obviously not all chasers have mobile Internet to submit the WSFO web forms I've seen, so do various offices invite chasers at large to call in? Do some discourage this or ignore it?

Seems like a mixed bag in my very-recent experience. Last week I emailed several WCMs at various NWSFOs across the S Plains, asking for specific phone numbers for reporting severe weather. About half my emails were answered within 24 hours, and were very friendly and helpful. The other half have still not been replied to.

under the moto : a picture tells a thousand words, I was looking for a long time to send images LIVE directly from the cellphone. Now it is possible. You can stream live photos at www.kyte.tv (http://www.kyte.tv) and stream live VIDEO at www.qik.com (http://www.qik.com) , directly from cellphone, provided you have a data connection right then and there. I will try to do this next spring, embeded the viewers at http://www.klipsi.ch/twistandshout.htm . so if I see a good storm AND have data I will try to send live photos or live videos.

the kyte system : you can stream a live photo stream, directly from cellphone, with a new photo every 10 seconds or so. at end of stream they are assembled as a fast slideshow. when streaming live there appears a red light in the upper right window next to the text lifestream.

the qik system : smaller window but indeed live video with sound directly from cellphone. if you are in GPRS or EDGE the quality will be so-so, and maybe it is better to kill the sound ( go mute) . if you have 3G then it is better quality.

unfortunately there are still lots of areas out there with no data connection. a cellphone may have a signal for GSM or SMS text message but not necessarily for data GPRS, EDGE or better 3G.

Try this link. This is what I have used and printed out what I want.

http://www.stormready.noaa.gov/contact.htm

If this does not give you all of the info you need, you can contact each area for the required info.

The Northern Indiana office has always been nothing but appreciative when I call them directly with reports. From the talks I've had with their staff, they encourage direct calls if people are unable to submit reports via their E-Spotter page or the Spotter Network.

As far as 911 for either report relays to the NWS or to inform them of the events as far as fire or EMS needs, if it's an emergency, I'll call 911 directly. If it's report relays to the NWS, I usually go through the non-emergency number for 911 since I'm sure they'll probably be flooded at the time with calls on the 911 line.

I have several WFO's in my phone (my local one in Denver and a few in Montana). The office in Billings, MT actually told me to phone ahead if I'd be chasing in the area so they'd be able to contact me, which I thought was interesting.

I've also called the Boulder, CO office and had them forward a report to an adjacent WFO that I didn't have a number for. Beyond that, I'd use 911.

It was tough growing up in Montana (when I was in high school), to call in my reports. Being that young for some reason, seemed to give me a lack of credibility.

I don't hesitate to call, though. Even last week, I called in to report heavy snow, frequent lightning, and 1/4"-1/2" graupel!

Dann

I used three different methods of reporting the Atkins, AR tornado. First I called 911, then I called the NWS after I found the number, and finally used the spotter network to report the damage when I had a chance to stop and type.

Being in a variety of areas I've always just called 911 and let them pass along the report to the NWS.

Normally, I avoid calling 911 because they are often too busy relay the message to the NWS. The other problem that happens a lot when you use a cellphone, you reach a dispatcher from another area. On the Mulvane day I kept getting a Wichita dispatcher. If you have the NWS number handy that seems to be the way to go.

Last spring I called the NWS directly after an east to west system came through and knocked one of my trees down from the wind. I wasn't home at the time but saw the tree when I got home. I told the her that I didn't know what time it happened but gave her the size of the tree and what direction it was laying. She was really happy I called it in and was nice enough to chat with me for a few minutes talking about how the system that went through was interesting and pretty odd since it moved east to west. This was the Norman office.

I would have to say that my experience in calling in reports to the NWS have been nothing but positive. I had one bad experience one time with a NWS office, but again, 9 times out of 10 my calls have been positive.

As a former dispatcher at a decent sized agency, I can say that if and how quickly reports are relayed to the WFO depends on the agency you get when you dial 911. In other words, don't necessarily expect them to call the WFO right when you hang up the phone. Most agencies will relay the report fairly quickly, but keep in mind that dispatching first responders will take priority over contacting the NWS and any delay in warning during severe wx can be significant. This is especially true in smaller agencies with only two or three dispatchers working at a given time. In larger com centers, it's not such a big deal because other dispatchers can make the call to NWS while the primary LE/Fire dispatchers can roll the units.

In many states, including here in Colorado, there are direct numbers to the state/highway patrol posted on signs along the highways and interstates (*CSP here). Personally, I would suggest making note of that and using those numbers. State Patrol communications is in contact with NWS fairly consistently and they have the training and manpower to quickly relay reports to the WFO.

I have most every office number from SJT to UEX stored on my phone, and rarely do I sense that I am being "blown off", but it does happen.

The biggest issue I've encountered is busy signals. When that happens and 1) I believe it's likely they don't have a report for what I'm witnessing due to a lack of chasers in the vicinity and 2) it's something really significant, I will call another office where the wx is quiet and ask them to relay the report. I have NEVER been made to feel like such a phone call/request was unwelcome/inappropriate.

I also do that when I'm somewhere unusual and don't have the local phone number, though I try to look up the number online that morning, call them to tell them I'm there, and ask if there's a "better" number for me to use. Then that will go on the phone.

As others have said, be concise, be calm, and be ACCURATE. Take a few deep breaths before you call and gather your thoughts, and compose the report in your head. The NWSFO will want to know where you are, what you're seeing, when you saw it, and whether or not it is ongoing. You will be asked questions such as "Is there hail? How big?" and "Is there damage?"

If you come off as a yahoo, your report will be blown off for sure.

Being in a variety of areas I've always just called 911 and let them pass along the report to the NWS.

So, if we report via Spotter Network, do we need to go ahead an phone it in?

No

Using the phone would be faster and you would be able to answer any questions. The phone can be faster depending on if you have the NWS number handy, don�t get a busy signal, or put on hold. Normally once a Spotter Network report is sent, the report takes less than 45 seconds to arrive at the appropriate WFO. And, vs. a phone call the SN report eliminates any confusion / misinformation on what you are reporting� no middle man.

That written, you are strongly encouraged to call anytime you have potentially life threatening information. In fact, near the top of the Spotter Network report submission form, the appropriate NWS phone number is provided to you. How handy is that!?!

--Al

I prefer direct dialing to the WFO. They can hear the report direct from the horse's mouth. If its chaser central on a storm, I dont bother calling it in, I know there has to be someone else trying to call it in and I dont have to be the one to report it. However there are those times where I feel like im the only one.

I have never had issues either....The guys and gals of the NWS always seem happy to take a severe report to help verify a warning or to save lives...Several years ago I was at a NWS office when a "BUS TOUR OPERATOR" called (NOT A CHASE TOUR..Thank God) wanting to know about the weather forecast a week out and they were told to "buy a newspaper or watch the Weather Channel..." Hee Hee

Its been good for me too, I phoned in a wind damage report back on 10-2-06 and 10 minutes later I heard it over my NOAA radio.

Now I mostly use the spotter network as my means of reporting, unless of course its for a tornado that has gone previously un-reported.

Is there a list someone made or avilable anywhere of all the NWS stations in the plains and their phone numbers for quick referencing to call in reports? I have the NWS Numbers Overlay on Delorme Street Atlas but have never used them. Are they up to date? A list would be quicker access in my opinion. I could laminate it and put it under my sunvisor next to my hail scale.

I call in all the time, I use IM to talk with the forecasters also. Heck I know most of the people at the SGF office and many at ICT. I have always use the 800 report lines, if you call the main number during any type of severe weather it will just go through to a voice mail system.

I would really like to see all of the offices get in AOL IM (Hint NWS ICT). So, yes I call in all of the time, Also with Spotter Network, I get calls from the NWS now and then, I would encourage everyone with mobile internet to use Spotter Network.

On 4/24/06 near Randlett, OK http://www.tornadoxtreme.com/Chases_By_Year/2006_Chases/April_24_06/april_24_06.html I tried to report the nearby tornado using my NWS phone overlay for Street Atlas. (BTW I need to update this for new numbers I suppose.) Anyway, at first I couldn't get my cell to complete a call. I was apparently in a bad area for cell coverage - at least for my Verizon service. I later borrowed a locals cell phone and got through to the NWS 'Hotline' but it was just a voice mail system with lots of long drawn out rhetoric and options. They had a number to speak to a person and make a report, but apparently it was only available from 8 to 5 M-F - and it was not during that timeframe. As I recall there was no option to make a report. I have no idea why. I suppose I need to locate the number I called and discuss this with the NWS office that supposedly provided the number to Chris Novy and myself for issuance to other chasers and see what the deal was. Checking Street Atlas now it appears the number I called for that county and for all those surrounding in OK and TX is: 405-3x0-5xx8. :D I know see that this is OUN, Oklahoma City, OK!! Now that is surprising. I would think they would be about the most available, most 'on top of it' type number. Apparently this is not the true contact number?

I have had no problems with reporting to the NWS. Just keep things clear, brief, and as exact as possible when making the report. They don't have time for chit chat or sorting out ambiguous details, so make sure you have your ducks in a row before calling them. I give them my name and that I am a storm chaser and then rattle off the details. Most often if it's a good chase situation, they'll ask for you to keep in touch.

Most of the reports I have placed have been with Spotter network. It gets right to who needs to see it fast.

I've always had positive experiences as well. I've actually switched from relaying severe weather reports via ham radio in our immediate local area to just phoning the NWS directly.

Normally, I avoid calling 911 because they are often too busy relay the message to the NWS. The other problem that happens a lot when you use a cellphone, you reach a dispatcher from another area. On the Mulvane day I kept getting a Wichita dispatcher. If you have the NWS number handy that seems to be the way to go.

I would agree that in most instances it is probably best to contact the NWS as a first option; however I can see some benefits to contacting a 911 dispatcher as well, 1st of all hopefully they quickly relay the report to the NWS, but also the 911 dispatcher can immediately dispatch search and rescue crews to the area, something that doesn't necessarily immediately happen by reporting a tornado to the NWS. I have only used 911 once, on 3/28/07 as there was a very large wedge at Night tracking through very rural country and ultimately towards Bird City, and not once for about a 1/2 hour period did I see another car let alone spotter/chaser, so I did not know if the tornado had been reported or if emergency crews had been dispatched , not to mention at the time I did not have the number or means to find Goodlands office number.

I've had nothing but positive feedback and response in calling in reports to NWS...

...but then again I'm Th44 spotter for the NWS anyway and encouraged to call in... so I don't know if that makes a difference ;).

If you call an office and get one of those recordings, press 0. That works about 90% of the time.

Checking Street Atlas now it appears the number I called for that county and for all those surrounding in OK and TX is: 405-3x0-5xx8. :D I know see that this is OUN, Oklahoma City, OK!! Now that is surprising. I would think they would be about the most available, most 'on top of it' type number. Apparently this is not the true contact number?

The reporting number for NWS Norman is published and accessible to anyone who wants to call, 24 hours a day. The number is 405-325-3816. The phone number you referred to is an old number that went away when we moved to the National Weather Center.

We encourage chasers to call with reports.

Rick

This question is for those of you working in NWSFO's: How closely do you monitor data arriving via E-Spotter and Spotter network?

Reading this thread, I got to wondering about that. If something quite life-threatening occurs, should he/she have confidence that making a report over those channels will be received and processed with the urgency that a report made by phone call would?

We have a script set up that grabs any eSpotter or SpotterNetwork report for our area and sends it to our AWIPS workstations, where an alarm notifies forecasters of the report. Depending on the situation, we may also monitor SpotterNetwork live, and have made phone calls to chasers for reports on storm of interest.

RIck

This question is for those of you working in NWSFO's: How closely do you monitor data arriving via E-Spotter and Spotter network?

I know I monitor it closely, but I can't speak for anyone else. Some offices have scripts that will pop up an e-spotter report in AWIPS.

The best option though, if you're worried about a report being received, is still probably the old fashioned way - calling the individual office.

AJL

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