Storm Reports and Live Streaming Video

[David Reimer]

Afternoon All,

I spent most of yesterday at FWD for the usual Skywarn Festivities. A great bunch of people and a very educational day. One thing that was brought up was Storm Reports and Live Streaming Video. At least with the FWD office, if you are submitting a report, of say, a Tornado on the Ground and you are streaming video of it, they would also like to know that information, along with the link of where you are streaming it. FWD used Live Streaming Video a few times this past year, including Kris Hair's stream on February 10th in their warning decisions.

So when submitting a report and you're streaming the event you are reporting, just let them know and give them a link to the location of the stream.

 

[rdale]

They should be able to see it displayed on their GR system... Did you see if they have added Spotternet display? I've talked to a few offices that didn't know how to do that.

 

[David Reimer]

They should be able to see it displayed on their GR system... Did you see if they have added Spotternet display? I've talked to a few offices that didn't know how to do that.

During Major Severe Weather, The guys issuing the warning's using the NWS Platform's dont have the SpotterNetwork display up. When a report is submitted through SN, it pops up on NWSChat and a ballon pop's up on their screen. They then check the consistency of the report vs. the storm's location. They dont have the time to look for the "green camera's" on the SpotterNetwork overlay. A good example is October 25th when we had a fairly widespread severe weather night with several warning's in effect at one time. The only way they know if someone is streaming is if a Media Network mention's it on the Situational Display or if they get a note, or the information in a report, for FWD at least.

 

[rdale]

Gotcha, I've heard of a few offices not using GR2AE during sevwx for some reason, but thought many of those realized the advantages eventually.

 

[L.B. LaForce]

Yeah Rob, I know IWX watched my stream on 6/19/09. Most of that stuff I believe goes through NWSchat. That is, most of the reports, and chat during severe weather events is done in NWSchat. Rob, do you know if GRR, or DTX monitors spotter network at all, or is the use of streams usually just word of mouth through NWSchat?

 

[Ben Holcomb]

GRR uses SN on GR2AE for sure, and so does IWX. Not sure about DTX, didn't ask.

Word of mouth through NWSChat is a big way for them and the media to see the streams around here, though.

 

[Jason Foster]

The funny thing is...I think many of the NWS WFOs in the plains typically operate the same, but here on the east coast, I don't know of many that use any of this stuff (GR, chat, etc.). Of course the weather is different, but I think it is a different mindset than the weather (A kind of Penn State vs. OU thing..IDK).

I streamed yesterday for the winter weather here around DC and it certainly would have been a good source for NWS to see how things were adding up fast. But we also have a high pop. density, and lots and lots of spotters and other "official" stations that report. In fact, skywarn wise...my county is considered 'saturated' so there is no desire for more skywarn folks.

One problem that the stream does solve (when available), is confirmation of a tornado/funnel. With increasing false reports, nothing like visual confirmation directly to NWS.

 

[Kris Hair]

I've been in many places (Not just FWD) that has contacted me via ham and have been watching my stream... When I did all of TWC stuff in SHV, NWS contacted me via ham as well, and asked my position and what I had seen through the area. They were also watching my stream as I streamed the tornado north of SHV.

FWD has used my streams repeatedly for fire, flooding, and severe weather. Along with the local SKYWARN group for grayson county.

I'm streaming with Chaser TV and have had really good luck with exposure.

 

[KendraReed]

The funny thing is...I think many of the NWS WFOs in the plains typically operate the same, but here on the east coast, I don't know of many that use any of this stuff (GR, chat, etc.). Of course the weather is different, but I think it is a different mindset than the weather (A kind of Penn State vs. OU thing..IDK).

I streamed yesterday for the winter weather here around DC and it certainly would have been a good source for NWS to see how things were adding up fast. But we also have a high pop. density, and lots and lots of spotters and other "official" stations that report. In fact, skywarn wise...my county is considered 'saturated' so there is no desire for more skywarn folks.

One problem that the stream does solve (when available), is confirmation of a tornado/funnel. With increasing false reports, nothing like visual confirmation directly to NWS.

Jason, I agree...that is why I am streaming with ChaserTV To give my office the ability to utilize the stream to see what their radar is indicating.

 

[john.sibley]

NWS leaves the act of looking at streams to the local office. It also helps to let them know on NWSchat (NOT SN!) that the stream is there. Local media will see it too.

NWS also is looking at specific major sites now. ChaserTV and SS since the GPS is next to the video. It helps them see the overall picture. If you stream to your server on your website, they're not going to look.

 

[john.sibley]

I'm streaming with Chaser TV and have had really good luck with exposure.

Jason, I agree...that is why I am streaming with ChaserTV...

You really do have to stream with a major company.
That's why I stream with ChaserTV.

 

[rdale]

It also helps to let them know on NWSchat (NOT SN!)

As we pointed out above - that's incorrect. All (I think, at least a majority) offices have licensed copies of GR2AE, and many of them use it operationally with the SN overlay.

 

[L.B. LaForce]

As we pointed out above - that's incorrect. All (I think, at least a majority) offices have licensed copies of GR2AE, and many of them use it operationally with the SN overlay.

Because GR2AE, is an awesome radar software!

 

[Chris Nuttall]

NWS leaves the act of looking at streams to the local office. It also helps to let them know on NWSchat (NOT SN!) that the stream is there. Local media will see it too.

Members of the general public, including the vast majority of chasers, are not allowed access to NWSChat. NWSChat is only a communication tool between the NWS, media, emergency response folks, and other government partners of the NWS. So, there's no way that a chaser will be able to inform an office of their stream via NWSChat.

Every office, heck every forecaster, has their own preferred way of handling warning operations. Some folks like to use every single product and resource available. Other people get information overload and are much more comfortable and confident keeping with a limited set of products that they know well.

I may be wrong here, but I think access to GR2AE to all offices is only a recent thing. Central and Southern Region offices were the first to get to heavily use it. I think it was because the NWS didn't have their own server infrastructure built yet and were reliant upon Iowa State. They were trying to limit usage so as not to crash the university's resources.