• After witnessing the continued decrease of involvement in the SpotterNetwork staff in serving SN members with troubleshooting issues recently, I have unilaterally decided to terminate the relationship between SpotterNetwork's support and Stormtrack. I have witnessed multiple users unable to receive support weeks after initiating help threads on the forum. I find this lack of response from SpotterNetwork officials disappointing and a failure to hold up their end of the agreement that was made years ago, before I took over management of this site. In my opinion, having Stormtrack users sit and wait for so long to receive help on SpotterNetwork issues on the Stormtrack forums reflects poorly not only on SpotterNetwork, but on Stormtrack and (by association) me as well. Since the issue has not been satisfactorily addressed, I no longer wish for the Stormtrack forum to be associated with SpotterNetwork.

    I apologize to those who continue to have issues with the service and continue to see their issues left unaddressed. Please understand that the connection between ST and SN was put in place long before I had any say over it. But now that I am the "captain of this ship," it is within my right (nay, duty) to make adjustments as I see necessary. Ending this relationship is such an adjustment.

    For those who continue to need help, I recommend navigating a web browswer to SpotterNetwork's About page, and seeking the individuals listed on that page for all further inquiries about SpotterNetwork.

    From this moment forward, the SpotterNetwork sub-forum has been hidden/deleted and there will be no assurance that any SpotterNetwork issues brought up in any of Stormtrack's other sub-forums will be addressed. Do not rely on Stormtrack for help with SpotterNetwork issues.

    Sincerely, Jeff D.

NCDC's Online Storm Events Database

Joined
Jun 9, 2004
Messages
325
Just an FYI, I was checking out NCDC's Storm Events Online Database and found that some events were not listed on there that were published in Storm Data. I brought this up with NCDC and was told that the online database is the Storm Data data (:D). So, if anyone uses this databse just note that some reports may not be listed but that are listed in the Storm Data database. It doesn't look like a huge problem, as I only found a couple of examples (not that I was checking every single day---but it's a problem that it is inconsistent). I will let everyone know of any changes/fixes that I hear of.
 
I too have found inconsistencies in Storm Events, and recall finding one day in particular where tornadoes were recorded on the wrong day. As near as I can tell, the errors seem to be few and far between, but it's hard to know a lot of times, as many events are difficult (if not impossible) to verify using another source.
 
It's been a real mystery in this "modern" day of online and quick transfer of information from one source to another that issues like this still go on. There is a ton of inconsistency in how the NWS handles storm event documentation and how complete this information truly ends up being presented to the public. As a lengthy thread previously stated, these consistencies will likely continue. It's pretty sad to see that information available on storm surveys and details is less complete (in many cases) than information provided 20 years ago.
 
I have heard back from NCDC and they aren't sure why there is a difference b/w the databases. However, they are switching to a new database system in the future and hopes are that will fix the problem...timing for the switch is not known to me. But hopefully it's soon.
 
Back
Top