#mSpotter program allows Mid-South residents to submit storm reports via Twitter

On Monday night, March 19, at the Agricenter in East Memphis, about 150 people turned out to learn how to be volunteer storm spotters for the National Weather Service.  Following the two-hour training session, during which NWS personnel described what to look for in a severe storm and how to report it back to the NWS office, MemphisWeather.net meteorologist Erik Proseus invited those who had Twitter accounts to stay for a "bonus" training session on the brand-new #mSpotter storm reporting program.  About 40 individuals listened as Erik described how social media can be used to further the mission of the NWS, that is to "protect life and property."  While conventional methods of submitting storm reports to the NWS consist primarily of a phone call to the local office or submitting the report via a web form, #mSpotter allows those with Twitter accounts to send in their reports using their social media accounts.

The new program was designed to mirror a similar program (#tSpotter) in middle TN that has been highly-successful in the few months since it commenced under the oversight of Nashville attorney David Drobny, himself an avid weather enthusiast.  The program works by having a "middle man" - in the case of #mSpotter that role is filled by MemphisWeather.net - monitor incoming storm reports from the Twitter-sphere around Memphis that are tagged with the #mSpotter hashtag and then pass them on to NWS-Memphis via a chat function utilized by all NWS offices across the country.  #mSpotter encourages reports that are geo-tagged by the submitter's smartphone to allow for exact location information, as well as a picture of the event (i.e., hail, wind damage, flooding). This allows the "tweeted report" to contain exact information on the location and type of severe event that sometimes can be subjective or unclear (for instance an intersection that is not well-known).

#mSpotter reports will use primarily the same severe weather reporting criteria as traditional storm reporting: tornado/funnel clouds, 1/2" of larger hail, 50 mph wind or stronger, very heavy rain or flooding, weather-related structural damage, downed trees or power lines, and winter precipitation. In addition to the type of event, location, and time, as well as a geo-tag and picture if available, tweets should include the #mSpotter hashtag so that they are easily retrieved by MWN and can be relayed quickly to the NWS.  The goal of #mSpotter is to provide the National Weather Service with reliable reports of severe weather more quickly than conventional means, thereby allowing meteorologists to more efficiently and quickly warn those ahead of the storm what severe weather threats the storm contains.

Anyone with a Twitter account in the 8-county Memphis metro area is welcome to submit storm reports via #mSpotter.  We encourage you to read over the #mSpotter page on MemphisWeather.net prior to submitting any reports so that you are comfortable with how and what to send.  Thanks for being a part of this community-based public service!

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For weather information for Memphis and the Mid-South, where and when you need it, visit MemphisWeather.net on the web, m.memphisweather.net on your mobile phone, download our iPhone or Android apps, or visit us on Facebook or Twitter.

March arrived like a lion - will it go out like a camel?

The early summer-like weather pattern has continued across the Mid-South much of this week, as temperatures remain well above normal. In fact, as previously blogged, the 80-degree weather that’s persisted much of this month will guarantee March ends as the warmest on record (hence the camel reference...), averaging about 10 degrees above normal for the month! In addition, we’re also watching a couple of weather systems over the next few days that will bring increased rain chances, as well as a subtle cool-down next week.

The first system will approach the region from the southwest Friday, bringing a risk for scattered showers and thunderstorms. The upper level disturbance responsible for the rain chances looks most likely to track just south of the metro area, meaning areas in Mississippi will have the best risk to get wet, though it will be possible anywhere. Organized severe weather is not expected, but a few of the storms could contain gusty winds as well as heavy rainfall and lightning. Temperatures Friday may be a touch cooler due to the increased clouds, probably holding just below 80 degrees.

WRF model for 1 PM Friday shows scattered t'storms, but mostly over MS

Rain chances decrease again Friday night and Saturday, as the upper level system passes to our east, and a weak front remains stalled just to our northwest. A rogue shower or thunderstorm is not out of the question, but most areas will remain dry, and temperatures Saturday will rebound to the lower 80s.

On Sunday, April may be welcomed in on a downright hot note as high pressure strengthens overhead.  Temperatures are likely to respond and readings could very well reach into record territory. Mid 80s are a very good bet, and if maximum heating is reached, numbers may even approach 90 degrees in isolated areas! That’s not an April fool’s joke! Meanwhile, a new storm system will begin to organize over the Rocky Mountain States, poised to affect our area sometime between Monday and Tuesday.

GFS model temperatures for Sunday afternoon, showing widespread 80s, with upper 80s possible

Confidence decreases a good bit on the outcome of this next system, as computer models are in very different places on how and where this system tracks in relation to our area. One model “camp” takes the system well north of the Mid-South, with a trailing cold front passing through quickly Monday night. Meanwhile, another “camp” takes the core of the system right over the Mid-South, and is also much slower in clearing our region, taking until late Tuesday.

European model - with low pressure in Canada and cold front passing through the Mid-South Monday night

GFS model - with low pressure in northeast Arkansas and cold front still west of the region Tuesday afternoon

Both potential outcomes appear as if they will bring decent if not high chances for rain and thunderstorms to the Memphis metro, but the exact range of impacts is still to be determined until better agreement is reached. For now, MemphisWeather.Net is learning toward the former solution above, with a round of thunderstorms likely with a cold front’s passage Monday night, but this is subject to change. We will also be watching this system for the possibility of severe weather, as sufficient instability and wind dynamics may come into place near our area for the first time in several weeks.  With the possibility of severe weather, now is a good time to check out StormWatch+, our newest addition to the MemphisWeather.net mobile app for iPhone and Android.  StormWatch+ bring personalized severe weather alerts to the palm of your hand!

Following this system, it appears a slight cool-down may be in store for the area, with temperatures returning to the 70s, closer to normal levels. As of now, any more significant cool snap looks unlikely for the foreseeable future.

--Kevin Terry, MemphisWeather.Net

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For weather information for Memphis and the Mid-South, where and when you need it, visit MemphisWeather.net on the web, m.memphisweather.net on your mobile phone, download our iPhone or Android apps, or visit us on Facebook or Twitter.