Chasing Question

I was wondering, with the thrill of the chase and whatnot would a chaser be obligated to call into the NWS to report any damage? Common sense would say if your a storm spotter you would need to, but I was just wondering if you guys do submit in storm reports while your actually on the chase. I ask because I'd think it would help out the nws, but it could not be feasible given the demands of chasing.

[NWIASpotter]

Simply depends on what action is going on.* Many chasers do report in to the nearest NWS office if they have the number, or via ham radio, etc...* I would say in most cases, if the chaser is already on the storm and simply enjoying it than often they might call in.* But, often there are spotters for the NWS office already out there and calling it in.* All on a case by case basis of what you do...

[davecarlsen]

Always.
Even if I see another chaser or a spotter, and even if I've talked to them and they've told me they've called it in.
a) they might not have gotten some of the details right,
b) they might be lying (although I know nobody here ever would:))

Besides, as a guy who both gives and takes reports, I've never seen an incident where the meteorologists in charge were upset that there were "too many" (credible) severe reports coming in.

Right, well I did a search online for this as well, and they said usually only trained skywarn spotters do this kind of reporting so to say. I just thought that was interesting.

[pman]

I have another question about storm chasing to go along on this topic.* I'm taking skywarn training classes Saturday morning, and my question for all of you spotters is do you have to be an licensed amateur radio operator to be able to get the reports to the NWS?* They say it is extremely helpful to have one, b/c you will almost never be able to get through on the phone lines.* I don't plan on becoming a HAM radio operator, so I was wondering if it really is this tough to get a report in by phone.

[dean]

you can always submit your reports on line via ESpotter. not all NWS are a part of it, but if you're chasing spotting around MSP you can use it. just need to sign after doing the SKYWARN class.
http://espotter.weather.gov/

[Josh Richardson]

you can always submit your reports on line via ESpotter. not all NWS are a part of it, but if you're chasing spotting around MSP you can use it. just need to sign after doing the SKYWARN class.
http://espotter.weather.gov/[/b]

Same thing for DMX....

[dean]

i think most of the midwest NWS have it, so if you're just chasing in the midwest you shouldnt have to worry about how to get your reports in. can also use it for reporting snow/ice amounts during the winter...

[NWIASpotter]

The phone lines usually aren't that busy and if they are you are probably seeing the same thing that others on those lines are as well.* So calling in the reports is not a problem at all if you aren't a ham.

The espotter thing is something that they are kind of going back on, as they don't usually get to check them constantly in a tense situation.* That is more for reports after the storm has passed, non-timesensitive reports can be done by that...* For real-time reports I would definitely call instead.

[pman]

Thanks for the advice, I think the easiest for me to do would be to call anyways b/c I wouldn't be able to enter reports online if I was out in the field.* :)*