SKYWARN


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NWS Forecast Office State College, PA ——– and ————>>>


>>> Severe Weather? see below – Please Report It <<<

*** Not a Trained Spotter, Report Severe Weather Using This Link ***

[What is the NWS SKYWARN Storm Spotter Program]

We ask our SkyWarn™ Spotters to contact our office using the 800 number printed on your Skywarn™ Spotter ID card when they experience any of the events listed below.


NWS State College Schedule of SkyWarn Spotter Training Sessions

NWS Field Spotters Guide

Measuring Snow – Old Classic

Pennsylvania NWS Contacts – PA county’s in each NWS office, contact information and map.


Please Report any of the following events:

Cold-Season (Winter) criteria:

  • Snowfall
    • When (new) snow accumulation reaches 3 inches
    • When (new) snow accumulation reaches 6 inches
    • Give a final report/total at the end of the storm (water equivalent if possible)
    • 1 inch per hour or greater accumulation rates
  • Ice
    • Any occurrence, or accumulation, of freezing rain
    • Accumulation of 1/4″ or more of ice on trees/wires
  • General Winter Reports
    • When forecast winter precipitation differs significantly from observed (i.e. snowing with no snow in forecast, sleet…when only snow is forecast…)
    • Any other significant weather occurrence/oddity (i.e. flooding due to snow melt/ice jam, damage from strong winds not associated with a thunderstorm)

Warm-season (Thunderstorms) criteria:

  • Tornadoes or funnel clouds (be very wary of look-a-likes; watch for rotation)
  • Wall clouds, especially if they are rotating
  • Hail (Please be specific with regard to size)
  • Other sizes/descriptions to use for hail:
  • * Pea 0.25 inch
  • * Penny 0.75 inch
  • * Nickel 0.88 inch
  • * Quarter 1.00 inch (15/16″)
  • * Half dollar 1.25 inch
  • * Walnut/Ping Pong 1.50 inch
  • * Golf ball 1.75 inch
  • * Lime 2.00 inches
  • * Tennis Ball 2.50 inches
  • * Baseball 2.75 inches
  • * Large Apple 3.00 inches
  • * Softball 4.00 inches
  • * Grapefruit 4.50 inches
    • Quarter-Size (1″) and larger is severe!
  • Wind Gusts (40 mph or greater; specify whether estimated or recorded)
    • large branches downed (specify diameter of branch)
    • Trees/power lines downed
    • Structural damage to buildings (roof, windows, etc.)
  • Rainfall
    • 1 inch or greater in an hour (NOT a 1″/hr. rate for 10 minutes)
    • 2 inches or greater storm total
  • Flooding
    • Streams/Rivers — also, when nearing bankfull
    • Street (when more than the usual poor drainage puddles)