University of Kentucky
Storm Ready Weather Spotter
Criteria and Procedures
Objective: To understand conditions for severe weather,
what to do in the event of severe weather, how to recognize the potential for
severe weather. This includes emergency
actions needed for the safety of our occupants.
Spotting Techniques: What to look for:
1.
Wall Cloud—Low hanging
cloud under the rain free base of the storm.
Not the leading edge of the storm which looks the most threatening. Look for rotation of cloud fragments in the
wall cloud.
2.
Funnel clouds descending
from the wall cloud or from a super-cell storm.
3.
Dust or debris whirling
around at or near ground level indicates a tornado has made contact with the
ground. It may take a brief time for
the entire funnel to become visible, usually 20-30 minutes for the tornado to
from. You may never see a true
funnel.
4.
The presence of large
hail, size of a quarter or half dollar, storm intense enough for large hail,
could be strong enough to produce a tornado.
Procedures for reporting: Things
to look for:
1.
Identify yourself Excessive wind gusts
2.
What have you seen? A wall Cloud
3.
Where did you see it? A funnel Cloud
4.
When did you see it? Hail
5.
What is/was it doing? Debris or dust at the surface
Heavy Lightning
Appropriate places to call:
UK Police: 911
National Weather
Service: 1-800-292-5588