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By Peggy K.,
MASA Secretary |
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Many people who are fascinated by
weather have an interest in serving as a storm spotter.
But not everyone has the same resources, circumstances, or
familiarity with the methods of sending and receiving
reports. |
So in an effort to
capture additional storm reports using a single communications
medium, the MASA team has
set up a iwebsite that will simultaneously collect, display, and distribute
reports. (Similar "Instant Message" systems now exist in Minnesota,
Indiana, Tennessee and others states.) Thus submitted reports to be
monitored in real time for those who are on-line and simultaneously
be distributed to the E-mail boxes of interested personnel and organizations wanting this type of data.
A copy of all reports is automatically
sent to
the Milwaukee/Sullivan National Weather Service office.
The NWS may or may not monitor in
real time.
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Future agency users might include a
city forestry department (for reports of downed trees), the power
utility (for reports of downed power lines, wires & poles), or a DPW
crew (for flooded street reports). These critical and vital reports
might otherwise go unreported even if the agencies or personnel
requiring the data have connections to more standard sourcing. |
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Aptly named
"SpotterInfo"
the MASA system has been operational
since August of 2001 and currently has about 80 spotters signed-up.
But many more are needed. If you enjoy severe weather and
serving your community then this system is for you. |
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Southeast Wisconsin residents
and spotters in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, Ozaukee,
Washington, Sheboygan, Dodge, Jefferson, Walworth, Rock, Dane, Fond
Du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Columbia, Green, Lafayette, Iowa, and
Sauk County are invited to sign-up and share your
reports. Digital camera owners are especially encouraged to sign-up
and submit storm related imagery, damage, etc.
Extreme northern Illinois residents
and spotters, nearest to the Wisconsin border are also invited to
participate.
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The “SpotterInfo”
server provides an opportunity for everyone to be more
proactive in the Skywarn program, as it also opens the door to
individuals who are interested in severe weather spotting but do not
have access or interest in radio communications (used by most storm
spotters). The programs success depends on many committed
individuals making submissions when it is safe to do so before,
during, and after storm events. |
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To participate send a blank E-mail (no subject, no message) to the
Yahoo address listed below. The server will ask non-Yahoo users to
create a login name and password.
spotterinfo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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WHAT TO REPORT? |
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WARM SEASON |
COLD SEASON |
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Tornadoes* |
Precip Changes:
Rain to Snow, to Freezing Rain |
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Water Spouts* |
Significant Blowing or Drifting |
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Wall Clouds* |
1
inch or more per hour snow fall rates |
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Funnel Clouds* |
High Winds >
40 Mph |
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High Winds > 40 Mph |
Ice accumulation >
1/4" |
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Hail |
Snow, Ice, or Blowing Snow impacting traffic |
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Flooding |
Snow fall totals (after 24 hrs) |
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Storm Damage |
Storm Damage |
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Anything you consider
significant or not forecasted |
Anything you
consider significant or not forecasted. |
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* Report these items to law
enforcement, 9-1-1, or ham radio channels. |
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