Spotter Network reporting has been integrated into RadarScope to help storm spotters and storm chasers have another avenue to report severe weather to the National Weather Service (NWS). Combining the power of high resolution radar available in RadarScope, along with the ability for a spotter to report exactly what they’re seeing while in the field, is a natural fit.
To become a member, you first need to sign up at spotternetwork.org and take an online spotter test, along with providing contact information should there ever be a question about a report. The rules are simple. Just follow the reporting guidelines, make quality reports, and use the system to help the NWS.
Once you have an account, you will need to do the following:
- Click on your Settings tab in RadarScope.
- Enter your Username and Password.
- You will now see that you are logged in and are given the option to sign out.
- Go back to the main settings page and your username will now show up.
When you are logged in, you will have the ability to report storm conditions right from your RadarScope app. Here is how:
- Now that you are successfully logged in, you will see your location as a red dot along with your username identifying that dot as you.
- Click on the icon you normally use to save an image or make an mPING report.
- You are now given the various categories where you can make a report.
- Choose a category, add an appropriate narrative, and submit your report.
- Your report will take up to a few minutes to display on the RadarScope map.
All reports are automatically submitted to the systems at the NWS to be used in warning operations. The reports are also made available to the media. Through both of these means, more information makes it to communicators to get to the public during severe weather. Studies have shown that members of the general public are more likely to act when they know someone has spotted severe weather vs. it being detected by radar.
“The Spotter Network is dedicated to bringing storm spotters, storm chasers, coordinators and public servants together in a seamless network of information,” says John Wetter, President of the Spotter Network. “We strive to provide accurate position data of spotters and chasers for coordination/reporting which in turn provides ground truth to public servants engaged in the protection of life and property.”
The Spotter Network is a Non-Profit organization of like-minded individuals taking input from the various communities that it serves and making the output available to any and all who are interested in severe weather.
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