#mSpotter:#mSpotter:

Twitter-spotting for Twitter-spotting for

the Memphis metrothe Memphis metro

What is #mSpotter?What is #mSpotter?

• Storm spotting via social mediaStorm spotting via social media

• A direct line to NWS-MemphisA direct line to NWS-Memphis

• A public service to the communityA public service to the community

• A way to participate directly in the NWS missionA way to participate directly in the NWS mission

• Harnessing the power of Twitter for the good of allHarnessing the power of Twitter for the good of all

• Already proven to be a huge asset to forecasters in middle TNAlready proven to be a huge asset to forecasters in middle TN

MemphisWeather.net has partnered with NWS-Memphis MemphisWeather.net has partnered with NWS-Memphis to immediately relay severe and winter weather reports to immediately relay severe and winter weather reports sent via Twitter from the Memphis metrosent via Twitter from the Memphis metro

Who can be an #mSpotter?Who can be an #mSpotter?

• Anyone with:Anyone with:

– a Twitter accounta Twitter account– a smartphone with camera and GPS (strongly a smartphone with camera and GPS (strongly

encouraged)encouraged)– a desire to serve others and aid in the a desire to serve others and aid in the

process of protecting people and propertyprocess of protecting people and property– a little weather nerd living inside them!a little weather nerd living inside them!

Why participate?Why participate?

• Assist the NWS in issuing severe weather Assist the NWS in issuing severe weather warnings, thereby helping to improve the warnings, thereby helping to improve the warning processwarning process

• Verify what radar can’t see – what’s Verify what radar can’t see – what’s occurring on the groundoccurring on the ground

• Contribute to public safety and the NWS Contribute to public safety and the NWS mission of “protection of life and property”mission of “protection of life and property”

What to reportWhat to report

• Tornado / funnel cloudTornado / funnel cloud

• ½” hail or larger (use coin or ball sizes)½” hail or larger (use coin or ball sizes)

• 50 mph wind or higher (measured)50 mph wind or higher (measured)

• Structural damageStructural damage

• Trees or power lines downTrees or power lines down

• Measured heavy rain and/or floodingMeasured heavy rain and/or flooding

• Winter precipitationWinter precipitation

What to include in your reportsWhat to include in your reports

• Brief description of what you seeBrief description of what you see

• Specific location (or geo-tagged tweet)Specific location (or geo-tagged tweet)

• Pictures are very helpful!Pictures are very helpful!

• Time (if not at time of tweet)Time (if not at time of tweet)

• #mSpotter hashtag#mSpotter hashtag

Area to reportArea to report

Maintaining the integrity of #mSpotterMaintaining the integrity of #mSpotter

• This program only works if the hashtag is used This program only works if the hashtag is used for it’s original intent and purposefor it’s original intent and purpose

• Cluttered timeline becomes hard to manage and Cluttered timeline becomes hard to manage and increases chance of vital info not being seenincreases chance of vital info not being seen

• If RT’ing reports, REMOVE #mSpotter tagIf RT’ing reports, REMOVE #mSpotter tag

• #mSpotter is NOT #memstorm#mSpotter is NOT #memstorm

THOU SHALT NOTTHOU SHALT NOT

• Risk the safety of you or anyone with you Risk the safety of you or anyone with you for the sake of a picturefor the sake of a picture

• Storm chaseStorm chase

• Abuse the hashtagAbuse the hashtag

• Expect to get paidExpect to get paid

How it worksHow it works

• During severe or winter weather events, During severe or winter weather events, personnel from MemphisWeather.net will personnel from MemphisWeather.net will monitor the #mSpotter hashtagmonitor the #mSpotter hashtag

• Using NWSChat, MWN will relay the Using NWSChat, MWN will relay the report in it’s entirety (incl. pics) to the NWSreport in it’s entirety (incl. pics) to the NWS

• MWN will filter duplicate posts as MWN will filter duplicate posts as necessarynecessary

• MWN may reply to your tweet for further MWN may reply to your tweet for further information (please reply to our inquiries)information (please reply to our inquiries)