Spotter Network
A GPS-based network for storm spotter coordination and severe weather reporting.
The Spotter Network (SN) is a centralized system that collects location and severe weather reports from storm spotters and chasers. This information is made available to coordinators like emergency managers, Skywarn groups, other spotter organizations, and the National Weather Service. The network uses GPS to automatically and accurately track the positions of spotters and chasers, providing ground truth to public officials responsible for protecting life and property. It combines locally installed software for reporting position and status with web-based tools for processing, mapping, and sharing reports.
The original Spotter Network was created by Tyler Allison, and John Wetter currently serves as its president. It went live in April 2006 and quickly attracted over 100 spotters. Several National Weather Service employees and other officials soon recognized its value for integrating ground truth into their operational duties. Later versions expanded coordinator and reporting features, and integration with the NWS eSpotter system was finished in early September 2006.
To use the system, spotters must pass an online test covering storm structure and basic meteorology. All reports are reviewed for quality control. Users provide contact information, which can be shared with the general public or restricted to emergency managers and NWS officials. The SN also includes GIS capabilities for use with external websites and apps.
Several research and operational papers have discussed the Spotter Network, including: "Emerging Technologies in the Field to Improve Information in Support of Operations and Research," "The Digital Revolution of Storm Spotting Modernizations of Training, Tracking, and Reporting," and "Enriching the Modern Day Storm Spotter Through Technology & Education Enhancements."
The SN is officially a Minnesota non-profit corporation and is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization. It operates as a group of like-minded individuals who gather input from the communities it serves and make its output available to anyone interested in severe weather. The network has a Board of Directors and an advisory committee composed of professional meteorologists, storm spotters, storm chasers, emergency response personnel, and NWS officials.
Quick Facts
- Formation
- April 2006
- Purpose
- Severe weather spotting
- Region Served
- United States
- Membership
- Volunteer
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The original Spotter Network was developed by Tyler Allison. It became operational in April 2006 and quickly grew to over 100 spotters. Several National Weather Service employees and other officials soon took an interest in the capabilities it brings to integrate ground truth provided by spotters into their operational responsibilities. Subsequent versions of the network expanded the coordinator and reporting capabilities, and NWS eSpotter integration was completed in early September 2006.
Spotters must pass an online test of storm structure and basic meteorology to use the system. All reports are reviewed for quality control purposes. Contact information provided by users can be controlled to reach all users or selectively to reach emergency managers and NWS officials. The SN features GIS capabilities for use with external websites and apps.
The SN is run as an organization of like-minded individuals taking input from the various communities it serves and making the output available to any and all interested in severe weather. It has a Board of Directors and an advisory committee made up of professional meteorologists, storm spotters, storm chasers, emergency response personnel, and NWS officials.
Reader's Guide
The Spotter Network's significance lies in its integration of GPS technology with storm spotting, enabling real-time, accurate position data for coordination and reporting. This provides ground truth to public servants such as emergency managers and NWS officials, enhancing their ability to protect life and property. The network's centralized framework allows coordinators to efficiently manage spotter reports, and its quality control measures—including an online test for spotters and review of all reports—ensure reliability. The SN's GIS capabilities extend its utility to external websites and apps. Its recognition as a 501(c)(3) organization and its advisory committee comprising professional meteorologists, spotters, chasers, emergency personnel, and NWS officials underscore its collaborative, community-driven approach. Several papers have been written on its use in meteorological research and operations, reflecting its role in advancing storm spotting through technology. The network's legacy includes tributes by storm chasers who arranged their position indicators to honor deceased colleagues, demonstrating the community's engagement with the system.
Did You Know?
- On February 26, 2017, storm chasers arranged their position indicators to form the initials BP as a tribute to 'Twister' star Bill Paxton.
- The SN is a Minnesota non-profit corporation recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization.
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