Promoting Safe Storm Spotting

[James Hilger]

I would suggest talking to them and show them whats available. I did it for countless years without radar and was very behind in technology even when it was available. I was thankful a local stormchaser discovered me one day and opened my eyes. I know what you mean by chasing blind but as you probably know it still is a whole different ball game here in the jungle. I wouldn't say it was a bad thing though because what others think is suicide just 30 miles to my North, I consider it prime chasing area and have no problem navigating. Traffic is the thing I worry about. I've tried my best to pass my knowledge to chaser wannabe's (for sake of argument). I stumbled along a group not too long ago that I started watching and they were on practically every rain shower. After visiting with them I discovered they had nothing technology wise. Very nice group of kids and really had the go getem attitude. They obviously wasn't gonna stop so I made it a priority to get them setup. After lots of ride alongs with me and hundreds if not thousands of miles following me everywhere, the main guy is now working with me as a media spotter. The approach can be tricky but try to turn your situation into something positive. They might be forever thankful. My hats off to Mr Bart Comstock while im at it. Yeah I know what everyone thinks about him. He's a freaking nut, but he taught me how to get right on the border of death and come out alive. He also took it one step further and got me my media job so even if im the wreckless and stupid one as some probably see me as, I have the privilege of providing instant information to thousands of viewers and im forever thankful. He could have kept on going. And now some sleep. Lol

 

[kmreid]

Thank you all very much for the advice and/or insight! I have heard of situations like this coming up before and I wanted to know how to approach the situation. My niece is the same age as these guys and she is really devoted to studying Meteorology when she graduates high school (which will be soon). One of these boys has a crush on her and I have asked her to keep an eye on them for me. She doesn't really agree with their approach either. I told her that she could drop my name in casual conversation IF she felt it would benefit them. I guess for now, I am going to sit back and see how they approach this season.

 

[Bob Hartig]

Something perplexes me about this discussion. These guys are spotters, not chasers, right? So aren't they being coordinated by a dispatcher who assigns them positions? I've never served as a spotter, but I've always had the impression that trained spotters don't simply go gallivanting about wherever they please, but are given set locations by a central coordinator who has radar and can move spotters about as need arises, such as when safety becomes an issue. If these kids are simply driving around as they please, then I question whether they are indeed spotters. Do you know whether they've had Skywarn training and are allied with Skywarn?

 

[David Drummond]

That's only true of some spots, usually more urban areas Bob. The wide open rural areas usually or often will have mobile spotters that go pretty much where they want in their own coverage area. It's usually because they have a lot of area to cover, and relatively few spotters. This is the most common arrangement out on the plains. Often the net control stations are sitting at a radio, either at the NWS office, or in direct contact with them, so radar/forecaster input is quickly available. In some areas, it's not uncommon for NWS employees to be hams and to get on the net and talk directly with spotters, especially if it's not a particularly busy event.

Bottom line, there really are no "standards" as far as spotters are concerned. It's handled a bit differently pretty much in every NWS CWA, and even in that sometimes differently on a county by county basis.

 

[Karen St John]

Re-reading this...has anyone contacted KARK? Escially the um, more experienced spotter groups? KARK has a public service duty that will get them a huge black eye if idiocy happens on their watch. Plus, they may find the 1st Amendment won't keep them them out of court in a liability suit if a family gets killed (god forbid) because they endorsed malfeasance. If nothing else, due diligence would require Skywarn training for anyone reporting to them. Heck, they could advertise that they have trained spotters.

Or an NWS office...they have a dog in this fight. They are also in a position to make sure the "Dukes of Hazardous Weather" are aware of Skywarn training. At some point, talking has to happen. Who knows...they might even shape up into a good group of spotters.

 

[SCombs]

I am a SkyWarn and a ARES member for Wichita County in Texas. When we have severe weather threatening our surrounding counties we are activated and go to predetermined locations around our county. We all are Ham Radio operators and are directed by a Net Control Operator who has RADAR and is in direct communication with NWS at Norman Oklahoma. We are some what mobile as we move to the best spots to view the storms and report developing severe weather threats. Those reports are then communicated to Norman via Ham Radio or phone as needed. The weather service has informed us that they can and do weed through thousands of reports during severe weather events. When they receive a report that is questionable in our area they will have us the (trained spotters) take a look. We have over the years built up a very good and trustworthy relationship with the NWS in Norman. That's the key to good creditable storm spotting group. We have found that our tactics for storm spotting is the best method for our area. We have big wide open country and good roads. Our Net controlled spotting is very efficient and very safe for our spotters. We get the information to the weather service and our local emergency coordination team in a timely matter. Not relying on cell phones that may be overwhelmed during a emergency.
As for the media they will report or do what ever they need to keep ratings up. Don't mind them. The individual reporters they have are a dime a dozen and they will move on.
I applaud you concern for safety. That's what its all about. If the individuals your talking about are doing this because it's "popular" or the "in thing to do" they in time will loose interest and move on. Hopefully before someone gets hurt. If they are truly doing it to help or to learn then power to them. Look at it this way. You are doing what you are trained to do. You are watching, monitoring and informing of a potential unsafe event. This just happens not to be a severe weather event but a possible unsafe practice for a spotter group. Continue to talk with them. Share what you have learned. It could turn of to be a life saving experience for one of them. Just remember how you felt when a veteran spotter was talking with you when you were starting out. Be safe and keep up the good work.

 

[rdale]

KARK does spotter training classes in conjunction with the NWS, so I'm not sure what black eye or liability they have in this. My guess is there is more to the story...

 

[Karen St John]

KARK does spotter training classes in conjunction with the NWS, so I'm not sure what black eye or liability they have in this. My guess is there is more to the story...

Well, if the Pope County folks do their thing in a manner that is creditable to KARK endorsement, and actually help to get the word out...yay!

But, if they don't...KARK's imprimatur may be embarrassing to the station. Very embarrassing.

 

[rdale]

Karen - I'm not finding where this group was endorsed. Can you post the link?

 

[Karen St John]

Karen - I'm not finding where this group was endorsed. Can you post the link?

Oh, sorry, Rob...the original poster of this thread had said this in her third post.

 

[rdale]

Ah see... Per Google, the only connection between KARK and the group is here - other than a few references where they had a KARK meteorologist speak at a spotter training session they were at as well. Not quite convincing enough for me...

 

[Jake Orosi]

Bottom line, there really are no "standards" as far as spotters are concerned. It's handled a bit differently pretty much in every NWS CWA, and even in that sometimes differently on a county by county basis.

Indeed; and we're also not considering that Skywarn spotters aren't required to interface with the radio nets at all. If a spotter's chosen method of reporting is eSpotter or their WFO's spotter hotline, there won't be anyone directing them anywhere; they can go wherever they want, or even spot from home.

 

[Karen St John]

Ah see... Per Google, the only connection between KARK and the group is here - other than a few references where they had a KARK meteorologist speak at a spotter training session they were at as well. Not quite convincing enough for me...

Agreed. Which means KARK may wish to talk to them about other things...

 

[David Drummond]

As for the media they will report or do what ever they need to keep ratings up. Don't mind them. The individual reporters they have are a dime a dozen and they will move on.

I'm sorry, but I'm taking an exception to that statement. It's very broad, and isn't necessarily true on the plains. I chase for a TV station out of Lubbock, this is my 8th year with them, but I was also a chaser 20 years before I ever got with them. I'm not the only one however. Most of the stations in at least the southern/central plains have very experienced storm chasers, good storm chasers, reporting for them. Some of these are very well known and respected storm chasers in our "community". They know what they are talking about and are certainly not "a dime a dozen". They also often interact with other TV stations when they are out of their home area, just like I do.

Now, they (the TV stations) do often send out the regular reporters, during big events, because lets face it, the storm chasers can only be on one storm at a time, and I will agree, these regular reporters usually don't know what they are looking at, but they end up doing damage chasing more than anything. Viewers expect that during a bit even, I'd even go so far to say in the southern plains markets, they demand it. All the warnings and safety included, big weather is good entertainment for the masses. Whether an individual finds it as distasteful or not, it's just the reality of things. There is an old saying in TV news about if you capture the viewers with the weather segment, you have them for the whole newscast. More and more of them however are seeing the value in hiring a "chaser for day" when they see their live streams.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I don't think Skywarn requires forecasting abilities and I'm pretty sure most don't require radar (though it's recommended), so, you really don't have a case with the spotter police. Let them live and learn and they will eventually become experienced.

Smart words here

I agree with Andy. When I first started Skywarn over 10 years ago, I was an idiot lol. I would core punch, get into wrecks from rising water and get into the path of storms without knowing what I was doing. I had enough close calls though to actually learn a little about what I was doing. I still do things that would be considered unsafe but not extremely deadly unsafe. One thing that bothers me though are spotters AND chasers who seem to not care about anyone on the road but themselves... People that are driving away from a severe weather event are in an extreme panic most likely and we really need to observe that while we are driving near them to get to the storm.