SKYWARN SPOTTER 33-573

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Samples of my storm chasing are found within this site. For a complete portfolio viewing, contact me to schedule an appointment.
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Known as the "Voice of NOAA's National Weather Service," NWR is provided as a public service by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), part of the Department of Commerce. NWR includes 1000 transmitters, covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Territories. NWR requires a special radio receiver or scanner capable of picking up the signal. Broadcasts are found in the VHF public service band at these seven frequencies (MHz):

162.400

162.425

162.450

162.475

162.500

162.525

162.550

Click on the clear box below to play the associated audio in your browser.
Michigan

Escanaba

Description: http://www.roanokevalleyweather.com/noaawxradio/ieicon.png

(KZZ35)

162.50 MHz

Grand Rapids

Description: http://www.roanokevalleyweather.com/noaawxradio/ieicon.png

(KIG63)

162.55 MHz

Traverse City

Description: http://www.roanokevalleyweather.com/noaawxradio/ieicon.png

(KIH22)

162.40 MHz

Wolf Lake

Description: http://www.roanokevalleyweather.com/noaawxradio/ieicon.png

(WNG672)

162.425 MHz

 




When you are out weather spotting, it is usually good to have a few resources.
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/pah/pdf/basicspotterguide.pdf 

basicspotterguide.pdf  

Advanced Spotter Guide
There are certain criteria for reporting severe weather.  Recall that a
thunderstorm is defined as severe if it produces a tornado, hail 3/4 inch in
diameter or larger, and/or wind gusts 58 miles an hour or higher.  It would be
desirable to report events associated with a thunderstorm before they reach
these severe levels.  Use the following guidelines for reporting weather events.
Report hail occurrences when the hailstones have a diameter of 1/2 inch,
and report wind gusts when their speed reaches 50 miles an hour.  See tables 1
and 2 for estimations of hail size and wind speed.  Obviously, tornadoes and
funnel clouds should be reported.  A funnel cloud is defined as a violently
rotating column of air which is not in contact with the ground.  It is usually
marked by a funnel-shaped cloud extending downward from the cloud base
(hence its name).  If the violently rotating air column reaches the ground, it is
called a tornado.  An important point to note is that the visible funnel DOES NOT
have to extend to the ground for a tornado to be present.  Instead, look for a
rotating cloud of dust and debris underneath a funnel cloud as evidence that
the tornado's circulation has reached the ground.  Hail Size Estimates
Pea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Penny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.75
Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.00
Half  Dollar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.25
Golfball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.75
Tennis Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.50
Baseball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.75
Grapefruit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.00
Table 1: Hail Size Estimations.
Wind Speed Estimates
Speed (MPH) Effects
25-31 Large branches in motion; whistling in telephone wires
32-38 Whole trees in motion
39-54 Twigs break off of trees; wind impedes walking
55-72 Damage to chimneys and TV antennas; pushes over shallow 
rooted trees
73-112 Peels surface off roofs; windows broken; trailer houses 
overturned
113+ Roofs torn off houses; weak buildings and trailer houses 
destroyed; large trees uprooted
Table 2: Wind Speed Estimations.
Flash flooding should be reported, but the reporting criteria are not as well
defined as with severe weather events.  A flash flood is defined as a rapid rise in
water usually during or after a period of heavy rain.  Variations in soil type,
terrain, and urbanization result in a wide variation in the amount of runoff which
will occur during and after a given amount of rain.  Consult your local NWS
office regarding flash flood reporting procedures in your area.