Severe Weather Spotting Guide

Workflow

1. 1

   Review Convective Outlook

   30 min

   Check SPC outlook and mesoscale discussions for target area.

   Cloud Base HeightJSON Formatter

   Show tips (2)
2. 2

   Position Safely

   1 hour

   Choose view with escape routes south/east of supercell.

   Meteorology Wind Chill CalculatorWind Speed to Beaufort

   Show tips (2)
3. 3

   Report per Criteria

   ongoing

   Relay hail size, wind damage, wall clouds, tornadoes on net.

   Dew Point Calculator

   Show tips (2)
4. 4

   Debrief and Log

   1 hour

   Document photos with timestamp; submit NWS reports.

   JSON Formatter

   Show tips (2)

Tools Used

• Cloud Base Height
  Primary

  Convert hail size from coin refs.

• Meteorology Wind Chill Calculator
  SupportingReference

  Calculate approach time from range/speed. · Track team fuel and shift duration.

Reference Materials

• Clean As You Go

  Maintain a clean workspace throughout — debris causes defects and safety hazards.

• Progressive Refinement

  Work from coarse to fine — don't skip intermediate steps to save time.

• Safety First

  Stop immediately if conditions become unsafe — no project is worth an injury.

Related Scenarios

• Weather Station Setup
  MeteorologyBeginner2 tools
• Surface Observation Log Guide
  MeteorologyBeginner3 tools
• Upper Air Analysis Guide
  MeteorologyIntermediate3 tools