Storm Data Program Overview

Keith StellmanMeteorologist-in-Charge

National Weather Service AtlantaPeachtree City, GA

May 8-9, 2013

• What is storm data?• History of storm data• How storm data is collected• What storm data is used for• Limitations of storm data• Access to storm data• Future of storm data

On Tap Today….

• Storm data is the NWS’s official collection of severe and unusual weather events

• The storm events database contains a wide range of weather events from tornadoes and flash floods to droughts and avalanches

• Goal is to document the impact that weather events have on the United States for historical records and trend analysis– Both internally required Directives– OFCM - National Plan for Disaster Impact Assessments Water

and Weather Data (www.ofcm.gov)

What is storm data?

4

1850s – Earliest known storm data reports. Data collected by the military and sent to Washington, DC via telegram.

1959 – First NCDC published Storm Data Publication. Data documented using typewriter.

1993 – First electronic version of storm data collection. Data documented using WordPerfect 5.0.

History of Storm Data

1996 – StormDat program developed. Data documented using Paradox 7 database.

1999 – StormDat 2000 developed and data documented using Paradox 9 database.

History of Storm Data (cont.)

2006 – Web-based StormDat is developed and data documented using database maintained on a web server.

2007 – Google Maps added to the StormDat

Storm Data Collection Process

Leading up to hazardous weather events, the NWS issues outlooks, watches and advisories

Storm Data Collection Process

• Warnings are issued via AWIPS system

• Warnings issued based on spotter reports, radar, or model data

Storm Data Collection Process • Hazardous weather reports are

collected via phone and mobile or web-based spotter reporter applications

• These reports are transmitted via Local Storm Reports (LSR) by the NWS to the public

Storm Data Collection Process

• The NWS validates hazardous weather reports via post-storm surveys

• Use help from Emergency Managers and other emergency relief agencies in situations where damage is widespread or in remote area

Storm Data Collection Process

• For non-precipitation events (e.g., excessive heat, extreme cold, drought, etc.) and to supplement post-storm surveys

• NWS relies on mostly on newspaper, media, emergency management, and coroners office (state and local) reports

Storm Data Collection Process

Events logged within 60 days of occurrence

Storm Data Collection Process

Storm Data Information Collected• Event type• Event source• Date/time event began• Date/time event ended• Location of event

• County/Zone name• Lat/lons defining event (if applicable)

• Fatalities/injuries associated with event

• Damage event caused• Cause of event (if applicable)• Magnitude of event (if applicable)• Width of event (if applicable)• Length of event (if applicable)• When event met criteria (if

applicable)• Narrative of what happened

Storm Data Events CollectedAstronomical Low TideAvalancheBlizzardCoastal FloodCold/Wind ChillDebris FlowDense FogDense SmokeDroughtDust DevilDust StormExcessive HeatExtreme Cold/Wind ChillFlash FloodFloodFrost/Freeze Funnel Cloud

Freezing Fog Hail Heat Heavy Rain Heavy Snow High Surf High Wind Hurricane (Typhoon) Ice Storm Lake-Effect Snow Lakeshore Flood Lightning Marine Hail Marine High Wind Marine Strong Wind Marine Thunderstorm Wind Rip Current

Seiche Sleet Storm Surge/Tide Strong Wind Thunderstorm Wind Tornado Tropical Depression Tropical Storm Tsunami Volcanic Ash Waterspout Wildfire Winter Storm Winter Weather

Storm Data Fatality Information• Age• Gender• Date of Fatality• Direct or Indirect

• Was the weather event the direct cause of the fatality?

• Location of Fatality• Ball Field• Boating• Business• Camping• Church• Heavy Equipment/Construction• Golfing• In Water• Long Span Roof• Mobile/Trailer Home• Other• Outside/Open Areas• Permanent Home• Permanent Structure• School• Telephone• Under Tree• Vehicle/Towed Trailer• Unknown

• NWS Verification Statistics• Official NCDC Storm Data Publication• SPC’s Official Severe Weather Database• NWS’s Internal Service Assessments• Academic Research Studies• Disaster Reports• Army Corps of Engineers • Congressional and Other Gov Data Requests• Public and Private Data Requests

Uses for Storm DataThe information entered into storm data has many uses. Here are a few…

Limitations of Storm Data• Only events that are reported to the NWS make

it into storm data

• Damage estimates are extremely subjective and level of effort may vary from office to office

• High turnover in position for those who enter storm data which may lead to inconsistencies from year to year at a single office

• Data prior to 1999 has little quality control

https://verification.nws.noaa.gov

Access to Storm Data

• All employees with NOAA e-mail can access website

• External partners with .GOV, .MIL, and .EDU email addresses can be granted access to storm events database (not entry interface)

• Visitors must be registered to access any content on website

Access to storm data is done through the Performance

Management website

Future of Storm DataDevelopment has been taking place on-and-off for several years on the next version of storm data. Features will include:

• High resolution storm reports• Multiple vertices storm paths• Elimination of requirement to

break events up into county segments

• Event damage calculator• Ability to provide lat/lon for

fatality and injury location• Easier event entry• Enhanced locations database

Thank you for your time!Feel free to contact me at….

Keith StellmanE-mail: keith.stellman@noaa.gov

Phone: 770-486-1133 x 222