How to Be Storm Spotter - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Aug 12, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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Climate change has caused an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as thunderstorms. As a result, storm spotters have become increasingly important. Storm spotters are trained volunteers that provide detailed reports on thunderstorms and other severe weather events, working in coordination with meteorologists.

They help to provide advanced warning of dangerous storms, which can help to save lives, reduce property damage and provide crucial data for scientists studying the cause and effects of severe weather. Storm spotters are an invaluable part of the effort to protect communities from dangerous storms, and their efforts are more important now than ever.

Steps How to Become

Become familiar with the National Weather Service and its storm spotter program. Learn about the types of storms that can occur in your area, as well as the types of damage they can cause.
Contact a local National Weather Service office and inquire about becoming a volunteer storm spotter. Ask about any upcoming training sessions, which are often held in the spring and fall.
Attend a storm spotter training session. These sessions are usually held in person, though some may be offered online.
Take notes and pay attention during the storm spotter training. These sessions will teach you how to recognize severe storms and how to report them to the National Weather Service.
Familiarize yourself with proper storm spotting techniques and safety protocols. Be sure to stay away from any dangerous areas, such as flooded areas, high winds, and lightning strikes.
When a severe storm approaches your area, observe the storm safely from a distance and report any significant weather conditions to the National Weather Service.
Repeat these steps for each storm that occurs in your area. With practice and continued education, you can become an effective storm spotter.

Having a skill set or becoming competent in a particular field requires hard work and dedication. To become skilled and competent, one must first have knowledge of the subject matter. This can be accomplished by researching the topic and taking time to understand the fundamentals.

gaining hands-on experience is essential to developing expertise in any field. This may include attending workshops, seeking out mentors, and/or participating in internships or other learning programs. Once the knowledge and experience are acquired, it is important to practice regularly to build proficiency and refine the skills.

Finally, it is important to stay up to date on the latest developments and trends in the field, as this will allow for continual improvement and growth. With hard work and dedication, anyone can become skilled and competent in any field.

You may want to check Climatology Professor, Climate Service Provider, and Climate Change Adaptation Consultant for alternative.

Job Description

Monitor weather conditions and report severe weather to the National Weather Service.
Set up and maintain weather monitoring equipment.
Submit storm reports to the National Weather Service.
Educate and inform the public about severe weather safety procedures.
Attend public meetings to discuss severe weather preparedness and safety.
Conduct storm spotter training sessions.
Update storm spotter handbooks and other materials.
Track storms using radar, satellite imagery, and other meteorological data.
Provide on-call assistance during severe weather events.
Maintain records of storm reports and other weather data.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Basic understanding of meteorology, atmospheric science, and related disciplines.
Ability to recognize and report severe weather features.
Ability to identify and recognize severe weather warning criteria.
Ability to use communication tools such as radios, phones, and the internet to report severe weather.
Familiarity with safety precautions used during storm spotting activities.
Ability to operate and troubleshoot weather-monitoring equipment.
Understanding of the National Weather Service's warning criteria and reporting procedures.
Ability to interpret weather maps and other data sources.
Understanding of the effects of severe weather on different geographic regions.
Knowledge of the types of severe weather events that occur in your area.

Being a storm spotter requires a keen eye and a deep understanding of weather patterns. An important skill for storm spotters to have is the ability to accurately observe, record, and report meteorological conditions. It is also important to understand how storms form and the different stages of development they go through.

It is essential to be able to recognize the signs of an impending storm, such as changes in wind direction, sudden pressure drops, and clouds that look like they could produce rain or hail. Knowing how to use weather radar and satellite imagery to identify the formation of a storm is also very helpful. By understanding the causes and effects of storms, storm spotters can alert emergency management teams, so they can take precautions and protect lives and property.

Severe Weather Analyst, Weather Forecaster, and Agrometeorologist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with storm spotting?
How did you become interested in storm spotting?
Describe a challenging storm spotting situation youve encountered and how you handled it.
What skills do you have that make you an ideal storm spotter?
What do you feel are the most important elements of storm spotting?
How have you kept up with advances in storm spotting technology?
What safety protocols do you follow when storm spotting?
What methods do you employ to accurately report storm conditions?
How do you remain calm when spotting a severe storm?
How would you handle a difficult situation if your spotter team disagrees on the severity of a storm?

Common Tools in Industry

Radar. Used to track storm systems and detect weather patterns. (eg: National Weather Service Doppler Radar)
Satellite Imagery. Used to observe the overall structure and movement of storms. (eg: GOES 16 Satellite Imagery)
Wind Speed & Direction. Used to measure wind speed and direction in order to better understand storm development. (eg: Anemometer)
Temperature & Humidity. Used to measure temperature, humidity, and pressure in order to better understand storm development. (eg: Thermometer)
Rain Gauge. Used to measure precipitation amounts in order to better understand storm development. (eg: Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge)
Lightning Detector. Used to detect lightning in order to better understand storm development. (eg: Boltek Storm Tracker)

Professional Organizations to Know

National Weather Service (NWS)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
American Meteorological Society (AMS)
Storm Prediction Center (SPC)
National Hurricane Center (NHC)
American Association of State Climatologists (AASC)
International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (IAMAS)
National Association of Severe Storms Forecasters (NASSF)
National Storm Chaser Network (NSCN)
National Weather Association (NWA)

We also have Climate Modeler, Broadcast Meteorologist Editor, and Cloud Physicist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Skywarn. A program created by the National Weather Service (NWS) to help spot severe weather. It involves trained volunteers who report tornadoes, hail, flash flooding, and other hazardous weather conditions to their local NWS office.
Severe Weather. Strong winds, thunderstorms, hail, flash flooding, and tornadoes that can cause significant damage and disruption to life and property.
Tornado. A violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground, capable of producing very strong winds and destructive tornadoes.
Hail. Frozen raindrops or ice pellets that fall from clouds during thunderstorms.
Flash Flooding. Rapidly rising water that can occur when heavy rainfall overwhelms drainage systems or when a dam or levee fails.
Doppler Radar. A type of radar that uses the Doppler effect to measure the velocity of objects in motion, such as raindrops or hail stones. It is used to detect severe weather.
Mesocyclone. A rapidly rotating column of air associated with severe thunderstorms. It is often used as an indicator of tornado formation.
Tornadic Debris Signature. A pattern detected on Doppler radar that indicates the presence of debris, usually associated with tornadoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is Storm Spotting? A1: Storm Spotting is a service that allows trained volunteers to observe, report, and track severe weather conditions in their local area. Q2: How many Storm Spotters are there in the United States? A2: There are over 300,000 volunteer Storm Spotters in the United States. Q3: What type of severe weather can be reported by Storm Spotters? A3: Storm Spotters can report on severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, flash flooding, and damaging winds. Q4: What type of information do Storm Spotters provide? A4: Storm Spotters provide real-time observations about the severity and location of severe weather. Q5: What organization coordinates Storm Spotter activities? A5: The National Weather Service coordinates Storm Spotter activities and provides training and guidance to volunteers.