STORM TRACK: March 31, 1978 (Volume 1 Issue 3)

"Volunteer storm spotters are dedicated individuals around the country who donate their time during severe storms to supplement the NWS public warning system. Generally, their goal is to help save lives in their communities, and -on a few occasions- they have lost their own lives in the effort. Improved training aids are a must in enabling spotters to perform more effectively and safely.

"Recently, a training movie was released entitled 'Tornadoes: A Spotter's Guide,' which represents a big step toward better instruction. The second step -a set of spotter's slides- is currently being assembled by the NWS, but the budget for this project is modest. Slides will be needed of storm structure from around the country. Since the project is in the public interest, several storm chasers have already donated a few slides each. Other chasers may be asked to contribute certain slides for this set. Positive response to this request is encouraged, since our efforts should be directed toward reducing tornado injuries and deaths." ---Bob Davies-Jones & John Weaver

(Ed. note: Regarding the above, please contact Les Lemon, National Severe Storms Forecast Center, TDU, Room 1728, Federal Building, 601 East 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Les is especially interested in slides of east coast storms.)

"I quite agree with your comments regarding interaction with NWS or FAA personnel. I have visited many such offices around the country over a period of many years. Most important is to remember that these personnel have a job to do and in times of severe weather are likely to be under a great deal of pressure. I believe that by being friendly, sensitive to this pressure, and unobtrusive one can often obtain more information than by being pushy. There have been a few instances where I have forfeited the opportunity to look at current maps and hourlies in order to avoid making myself persona non grata. My experience is also that the probability of problems is directly proportional to the number of persons simultaneously 'invading' the NWS office." ---John M. Brown

Storm-Track continues to grow, with subscribers now (including university faculty, military and NWS staff) in 11 States -Maryland and Nebraska recently added. Note -- last issue's "Illinois" should have read Indiana. This will be an unusually long newsletter, owing to inclusion of several timely articles and comments which coincide with the onset of the current storm season.