KALAMAZOO COUNTY SKYWARN

REPORTING GUIDELINES DURING SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS

NWS SPOTTER TX# 1-800-647-3836

What to report to net control.  Remember TLC...Time...Location...Conditions

• 1. Any Funnel Cloud , Tornado or Wall Cloud.
  

• Hail:
  A. Pea size (if it has not already been reported within 5 miles of your location)
  B. Hail larger than pea size (anytime).
  

• 3. Rain: - only if it causes major street flooding i.e. 1" per hour.
  

• 4. Wind :
  A. Significant inflow winds toward a Supercell.
  B. Winds associated with thunderstorms in excess of 50mph. If not previously reported.
  C. Winds in excess of 55mph.
  D. Gust front winds at your location (if not already reported by a nearby station).
  E. Winds rotating (horizontally) at the base of a thunderstorm. Especially near a wall cloud.

• 5. Lightning: - Frequent lightning in your area. 20 strokes/min or greater within 10 miles.
  
• 6. Property Damage: - Report any significant property damage caused by the storm.

Wind-speed estimation: (in m.p.h.)

25-30 Large branches in motion. Whistling heard in utility wires.

30-40 Large trees in motion. Small twigs break off.

40-50 Limbs to ½" diameter break off. Larger rotted limbs blown down. some roof shingles may be blown off. Garbage cans and lawn furniture may be blown away.

50-60 Limbs up to 2" diameter break off. Rotted trees may be blown over. Light damage to mobile homes, out-buildings, sheds etc. TV antennas may be damaged.

60-70 Limbs up to 6" diameter break off. Downed power lines. Shallow rooted trees and trees in wet soil blown over. Moderate to severe damage to pole buildings.

70-110 Some roofs peeled off. Windows broken by force of wind. Mobile homes pushed or overturned. Some healthy well-rooted trees snapped off, badly broken or uprooted. Moving automobiles pushed off the road.

110+ Run for it!