Nowcasters: Commitments & Responsibilities...

[Dan Robinson]

The potential nowcaster needs to be aware of what they're committing themselves to. If you've never nowcasted before, keep in mind that it usually ends up being something that you have to devote your entire afternoon or evening to. It's hard to give good information by just taking a call every hour and looking at radar for a couple of minutes. You'll need good radar, good maps and warning information available at all times to keep track of where your chaser is and what is happening around them. In other words, it won't be easy to do it while you're at work or otherwise doing something else.

If you're planning on armchairing the event anyway, then it's usually not a problem because you're already keeping up with what's going on. But nowcasting requires a level of commitment to the person on the other end and maybe a little bit of liability. They are trusting you for information on where to go, and if you don't pass on good information in a timely manner, they could end up in a hail core or worse. Sometimes the safety of the chaser on the other end of the line is partly in your hands, meaning you'll need to pay close attention to what is going on and in some cases stay on the line with them many times throughout an event. This is especially true at night.

Will every event be this involved for a nowcaster? Probably not - but be aware that it usually involves more time and dedication that you originally intended. During an outbreak, a nowcaster may not be able to leave their desk all evening.
Maybe this is a break-off topic that needs its own thread, but it's at least worth a mention.

[Dick McGowan]

The potential nowcaster needs to be aware of what they're committing themselves to. If you've never nowcasted before, keep in mind that it usually ends up being something that you have to devote your entire afternoon or evening to. It's hard to give good information by just taking a call every hour and looking at radar for a couple of minutes. You'll need good radar, good maps and warning information available at all times to keep track of where your chaser is and what is happening around them. In other words, it won't be easy to do it while you're at work or otherwise doing something else.

If you're planning on armchairing the event anyway, then it's usually not a problem because you're already keeping up with what's going on. But nowcasting requires a level of commitment to the person on the other end and maybe a little bit of liability. They are trusting you for information on where to go, and if you don't pass on good information in a timely manner, they could end up in a hail core or worse. Sometimes the safety of the chaser on the other end of the line is partly in your hands, meaning you'll need to pay close attention to what is going on and in some cases stay on the line with them many times throughout an event. This is especially true at night.

Will every event be this involved for a nowcaster? Probably not - but be aware that it usually involves more time and dedication that you originally intended. During an outbreak, a nowcaster may not be able to leave their desk all evening.
Maybe this is a break-off topic that needs its own thread, but it's at least worth a mention.

Good call, I'd hate to be out in the field and have a nowcaster not answer his phone, or have to leave somewhere after helping me for a bit. No one should ever trust a nowcaster for advice on a night storm, there are so many factors that come into play here. Offer "advice", but never for a second should anyone totally rely on a nowcaster at night time (nor radar either for that matter).

Last year on February 28th, I had no trouble nowcasting for 4 seperate chasers. Most just needed a quick update because they were in a data hole, or wanted me to relay information to the NWS of what they were seeing.

[Martin North]

This thread is for discussion about commitments and responsibilities Nowcasters have for their chasers on the ground. A very serious and salient discussion that needs to be had.

Posts are being transfered over from the Nowcasters 2008 thread.

[Jeff Miller]

The biggest question I have concerning the commitment and responsibility of the Nowcaster is Liability. Im not sure if this is a seperate topic or not. I'll start it here.

How can one be sure that a Nowcaster is not held liable in the event of accidental misinformation?

If a nowcaster has bad data, or old radar, and sends a chaser into harm, is that nowcaster liable? Could civil or even criminal actions commence?

What is the scope of Nowcaster Liability?

[Martin North]

I'm pretty sure ultimate responsibility lies with the chaser on the ground. I don't think a chaser would use a Nowcaster (whomever that is) unless he knows that persons capabilities as regards reading radar, doppler, met readings and synoptics et al.

[Shane Adams]

This thread is a perfect example of why I stopped using nowcasters. I just felt crappy for having someone give up their entire day to serve me when I wasn't offering them any type of compensation beyond a "thanks dude." I know a lot of arm chair type guys enjoy it, but I have a big problem with someone wasting their entire afternoon/evening for me for free. And to be honest, at the end of the day when the trophies are raised and the congratulations shared, more often than not the nowcaster is left out of the ceremonies, when many times they provided the key ingredient for the day's success. For as many chasers as I see/hear using nowcasters, the list of reports giving kudos to those nowcasters is small.

With all the technology available today, I'm surprised nowcasting hasn't gone by the wayside. This talk of a live chat between nowcasters and chasers seems like a total waste of bandwidth; if you've got the means to chat from the field, why are you messing around in a chatroom? Look up the data yourself. It's overkill IMO.

[Jeff Miller]

RE: Shane.

The idea wasn't between nowcasters and chasers for chat, but nowcasters to communicate with other nowcasters for a second opinion if need be. I agree if a chaser has a laptop, why have a nowcaster.

IMO.

[Shane Adams]

RE: Shane.

The idea wasn't between nowcasters and chasers for chat, but nowcasters to communicate with other nowcasters for a second opinion if need be. I agree if a chaser has a laptop, why have a nowcaster.

IMO.

Ah, I gotcha. Thanks for the reply.

[Danny Neal]

Sort of along the lines of what Dan Robinson said:

But to further a point, if you are going to be nowcasting for someone this spring, make sure you get their target area first. At the very least you could get out your road atlas or something and scope out the towns and roads in that area. It should be the chasers responsibility anyway to know the area he will be in, but if you are caught in a core(heaven forbid) and are hearing reports of a small town getting hit a few miles from you, you really don't have time to look at a map. It could be extremely dangerous and frustrating to have your nowcaster saying "I don't know where that town is." When I nowcast for chasers I usually sit there and memorize towns and roads since I know I'd want the same commitment on the other end. I nowcasted for Mike Scantlin on Oct 17th and pointed him in the right direction as he already had data. He in turn did the same for me Oct 18 when I had no data due to technical difficulties. He did a great job considering he had relatively no idea where anything in EC IL was. Above all it's the chasers responsibility to know his surroundings and stuff like that.

[Bob Schafer]

Wow. This is going to be a very long thread when all is said and done, and rightfully so.

If you're chasing with a large group (4 or more) and you have multiple sources of data, then I don't think having a nowcaster would accomplish much. It's already a team effort.

But if it's just one or two of you, a nowcaster is crucial, IMO, regardless of how much your vehicle's interior resembles Houston Control. We all know how crazy things can get, and your nowcaster is another set of eyes while you're multitasking. There is SO much demanding your attention.

I wasn't able to chase in 2007, so I nowcasted instead. Let me tell you: It WAS INTENSE! Many days/evenings I didn't eat until my "guy" or "gal" was safely in harbor, and I mean I didn't eat anything for the entire day until about 11PM or midnight. That's how busy I was. I didn't even notice the time flying by. It was an actual adrenaline rush just nowcasting, especially on days like May 4.

I won't be able to nowcast as much this year, darn it. I'm back in the saddle, and I've moved to Holly CO.

[Brian Stertz]

Yeah nowcasting is pretty intense during those unfolding events...almost as intense as the chase. A nowcaster can see the whole playing field. A chaser may only see their immediate quadrant/target area. Nowcasters can give that spur of the moment nugget of info that a chaser may be too focused to see or too tied up driving to notice. It's often a good feeling to be able to rely on one's best idea or gut instinct, but sometimes that one call can make the chase. I think nowcasters are worth their weight in gold...more so during those tense pre-storm hours when critical decisions are very valuable. This was my sole reason for starting the earlier thread.

[David Wolfson]

Many can't chase whenever and wherever they may want to. Especially if they're chasing without a schooled co-pilot, I know I would be delighted to nowcast for another when I'm benched, and then have the favor returned when I'm out chasing. Unless you have extraordinary bandwidth on the road, plus four hands and three eyes, it's both safer and more productive to have a nowcaster on the bench so you don't have to stop for data; can offload high-res satellite updating; can monitor an alternate radar site, etc. Plus the many reasons others have already mentioned.

[Jeff Miller]

Commitments:

1. A Nowcaster must make sure his entire schedule is clear.
2. A Nowcaster must make sure he/she will not, under any circumstances, abandon the chaser in the heat of dangerous weather, or at night.

Responsibilities:

1. A Nowcaster must know how to read ALL slices of radar. Not just base reflectivity. A Nowcaster must know how to interpret different slices, and most importantly, Storm Relative Radial Velocity, and know how to read the data. A Nowcaster must also be constantly alert for hail cores, and strong outflow winds detected on radar which can be as strong as weak tornadoes. A Nowcaster must also know where tornadoes can form in non-supercell environments to provide the chaser with adequate warning.

2. A Nowcaster must attempt to have the most accurate road information, and always keep track of where the chaser is at all times in relation to the storm. GPS is extremely helpful.

3. A Nowcaster must constantly look for any changes in storm direction. A Supercell can right move with no warning, and the nowcaster MUST be on top of the situation, so he can guide the chaser away from harms way in a second.

4. A Nowcaster must constantly look for any changes in storm intensity.

5. A Nowcaster must be able to multitask between radar, severe weather warnings, data streams, mesoanalysis tools, and other data sources to provide the most comprehensive data to the chaser.

6. A Nowcaster must be able to assist the chaser in any changes to initial target by keeping an eye on forecast parameters and mesoanalysis tools until initiation.

Split second decision making is crucial for a nowcaster. Therefore, a nowcaster must be COMFORTABLE with interpretation of severe weather in radar as an absolute must.

I can't stress enough how important the responsibilites of a nowcaster are. It's nothing to take lightly at all. But when a nowcaster successfully leads a chaser to a tornado safely, its a very fulfilling experience! I know from experience.

[George Tincher]

I will agree with what everyone has said thus far, especially Jeff. I did quite a bit of nowcasting between 2003 and 2006. I didn't get to last year because of my less flexible schedule. But I must say I really do enjoy it, despite it being very stressful and the work load heavy. I actually like the responsibility that goes with the territory and having chasers in the field to assist gives me a sense of purpose in monitoring the data all afternoon and evening. If I'm free, I'm going to be here at my work station anyway monitoring everything that's happening. So my attitude is that I might as well offer assistance to those who may need it. I mean hey, if I can't be out there in it myself, then the next best thing is to perhaps be able to help someone else see tornadoes.

While I'm not (nor likely ever will be) as capable of giving Tim Vasquez quality chase hotline info, I do feel I was a decent nowcaster. I always made it clear that if I agreed to help someone on a given day that I would be there for them without interruption for the duration of the event, however long that might be. I recall some days where I started as early as 9AM and stayed with the task until 11PM that night. But I always kept my word and made sure that I was 100% reliable. No exceptions.

However, I did do one thing differently than many nowcasters. I never, I repeat NEVER tried to get involved in the decision making process outside simply offering my own thoughts and observations. There is a tendency when looking at radar or other types of data to call people up and try to steer them in one direction or another. The same applies to chase targets. I would certainly offer any suggestions and relevant data I had available to me. But I would always let the chaser on the other end make the decision about how he/she used that information. Ultimately, that is their responsibility, not mine. That is also the one area of responsibility that I do not want. I am not going to try to talk you out of a target you've pinned down. How would I feel if I steered you to the area I personally favored, then you missed a tornado as a direct result? I just don't do that. I'll share the data with you. I'll even offer my opinion about the situation. But I am just going to be a provider of information. You can use your own judgment and experience to do with that information whatever you want.

The one area where I will stray a bit from the above policy is when I see a dangerous situation developing. If that happens, I may be a bit more "pushy" when relaying info and suggestions to you. But still, that is ultimately your responsibility as well. I am only looking at the storm via radar. The chaser is right there, eyeballing it. There's situations where the person on the other end is simply going to be better informed than I am about certain things.

Again, nowcasting isn't for everyone. It can be stressful. That's especially true of storms at night in close proximity to your chaser when you lose the ability to communicate with them temporarily, which is a given with cell phone coverage gaps. It's also tiring. You wouldn't think sitting at a desk all day sounds like much work until you actually do it and realize all the while just how serious your task is. You have to be able to concentrate and not lose that concentration for one second. And being able to perform several tasks simultaneously is critical. So as Bob said, that may mean you don't get anything to eat after breakfast until late that night on the more busy days.

But despite trying to stay on top of chaotic situations for hours on end, it's still a rewarding experience, at least for me. Where I live and with my schedule, I don't get the opportunity to get out and experience the storms directly as often as I'd like. But I still have this tremendous passion for studying severe weather and being able to somehow apply that knowledge in a helpful manner. For me, that involves nowcasting. As Shane pointed out, there isn't much glory involved with being a nowcaster. You're definitely a behind the scenes guy (or gal) in the process. But that's ok. Sometimes in order to make things happen, it takes a complete team effort. Look at NASCAR race teams. The driver, owner and crew chief get all the attention and praise. But it's the behind the scenes guys like the engine builders, fabricators, tire carriers and jack men who have as much of a role in the ultimate success or failure of that team as the driver. So knowing your role in the big picture and being able to realize the difference your contributions make to the effort is to me reward enough. That said, a "thank you" or a copy of the video shot that day is nice. And everyone I have ever nowcasted for has offered both in abundance, especially Bob, Craig and Angie (thanks guys and gal!) who I have nowcasted for more than any other chasers. But doing that isn't even something I will demand beforehand. LOL. I just want to be involved in a meaningful way, to help make a chaser's day a little less stressful and hopefully help them to witness one or more tornadoes. Being able to do that is to me the ultimate satisfaction. And again, I don't feel the least bit "used" by anyone who calls asking for some info. It's very much a two way street. I give them info they don't have access to at the moment. And if I do my job well enough, then they eventually provide me with video of the storm or tornado I was not able to witness in person. That seems like a win-win for everyone involved. And if nothing else, the process has allowed me to become closer friends with people I have never even met in person. I've had people call me during chase events while they were sitting in some isolated area on a farm market road, bored beyond description, waiting for the cap to break. So you can get to have some enjoyable and more light-hearted conversations even on the crazy busy days. So despite serving a serious purpose, nowcasting can also be quite enjoyable in other ways. It just depends on your personality traits as to whether or not you are particularly well suited to nowcasting. I know some people who don't even want to hear about what the weather is doing if they are unable to chase themselves that day, much less be heavily involved with nowcasting. And that's ok too. I can totally understand that. And some people simply don't have the patience or attention span to be good nowcasters. And that's ok too. We all have our strengths, weaknesses and limitations.

But I do hope I can get back in the game on at least a semi-regular basis this Spring. I missed being able to help last season. But I have used what time I have had over the past year to educate myself even more about severe weather and hopefully that will directly translate into making me better at the task than I've ever been before.

[Fabian Guerra]

You all make very good points. The most important factor is that a nowcaster needs to know what they are doing and I think Jeff covered just about all of those requirements. There are some of you out there whose heart may be in the right place wanting to help but please do not volunteer to nowcast unless you really know what you are doing and have the basic tools to do it right. Its not just the ability to read the weather situation at hand but to also understand chase strategy and be able to accurately give the chaser rock solid advice on what storm to go after and the best way to do it. One also has to know if the storm is unreachable. If you know the road network and storm motion it usually just takes a little basic math and common sense to give the right advice.

I have always enjoyed nowcasting and if I'm available I will gladly help anyone who is chasing.

[Scott McPartland]

I definitely agree in that you have to dedicate the rest of your day to nowcasting if you plan to keep people safe, and do a good job. The one that sticks out for me was when I nowcasted Jim Edds and several others when Hurricane Charley was making landfall near Punta Gorda, Fl back in 04'. I felt confident in my abilities to do this right, but I gotta admit, I was really nervous with this one, especially when they upgraded him from a Cat2 to a Cat4....this changed the ENTIRE scope of things needless to say!

I literally had two computers going at the same time, I had the desktop going with radar and satellite, and my laptop going with Street Atlas. I didn't have Street Atlas on my desktop at the time which is why I was running both, lol. But I was commited so I dedicated the entire day to just doing this, and that was totally fine with me since I wanted to make sure I did a good job. But everytime I gave Jim and company an update I remember I kept saying, "guys, use your best judgement here cause I can't see what's going on at ground level, if you feel it's too dangerous, please pull back".

But I was told my job that day was simple, and that was to put them in the area where Charley was going to come ashore, and that I did, lol. About an hour before landfall I noticed that jog to the northeast and I felt pretty confident about Charley going in somewhere near Charlotte Harbor. And when Jim called from about 20 miles north of there I told him to go to Punta Gorda....that's when the phone stopped ringing. I didn't hear anything from anyone for like 4 hours! But the news reports started coming in and all I was hearing was "Punta Gorda was destroyed". Man I was scared that I just killed everyone. Well it turns out that THANKFULLY everyone was safe, but Jim Edds did get his car trashed by flying debris, but he was all right along with the others and that's what mattered.

So to sum all this up, I did feel partly responsible for Jim losing his car that day, and I would have been devastated if anyone would have been hurt or worse, afterall....when asked by Jim "do you think I should go to Punta Gorda or not", I said "yes". But in the end, he said in no way should I feel responsible for anything that happened, or could have happened that day. I fed information, but in the end...it's the chaser that makes the decision on whether or not to follow that info. Jim still thanks me till this day even though he lost his car, lol.....he said that it was the most dramatic hurricane video he's ever shot.

Scott

[Bob Schafer]

If anyone ever writes a book about nowcasting, George's post should be the forward. Hell, GT should write the book. Great job, GT, and thanks again for all the expert nowcasting help you've provided me over the years!!! I sure hope we'll get the chance to spend some more time on the phone this spring and beyond.

Fabian hits on some good great points, too. If you've personally chased where "your guy" is located on a chase day, it is a huge advantage! Knowing what the terrain is like around the Caprock Escarpment, the Canadian River, and the NE Sandhills are but a few examples, not only for what the chaser's experiencing but also how those orographic features can influence storm behavior. That's not really advice, just anecdotal.

[Craig Maire II]

I believe that nowcasters can be an invaluable tool and I have used their services on many successful occasions. :D

[Mike Johnston]

Along the lines of George's experience, I too find nowcasting to be enjoyable in and of itself. Fortunately, as I work from home, I'm often able to monitor a setup during the day and, since my trading day is over by 4:00 ET / 3:00 CT, have opportunities to nowcast for a chaser. Living on the east coast now, of course nowcasting opportunities are more plentiful than actual chasing opportunities. I agree a nowcaster should have his schedule pretty much clear for this purpose. I make a point to let my wife and the kids know when I have committed, so they will understand (as far as possible.)

It may seem trivial, but as noted in a previous post, it is essential to have a road atlas at your side when nowcasting and have knowledge of where your chaser is and what his objective is. As George also noted, presenting a current picture of the available options rather than trying to make decisions for the chaser seems to be the most productive approach.

I must admit I am far more comfortable nowcasting when the target is in an area with which I am familiar - namely Kansas and its surrounding states. As for the safety/legal liability issues, an experience a couple of years ago really made me think about this. I was nowcasting for a lone chaser following an isolated, developing cell out in western Kansas - he was able to get into good initial position and reported a wall cloud. Then...we lost cell phone connection and I wasn't able to reach him until 2 hours later. In the meantime, numerous cells exploded on virtually all sides of his last known position and there were 5 or 6 tornado reports. I was sweating it out and felt completely helpless but was most of all concerned about his safety. Even though I knew it wasn't my "fault" we lost connection, I still had a gnawing sense of responsibility and concern. Fortunately, all turned out well - but I must admit it did get me to think of the seriousness of helping others navigate around a potentially dangerous situation. So, the chaser's safety is definitely something I keep foremost in my mind when nowcasting. I have no idea whether legal liablity would be an actual risk for a nowcaster, but definitely would not want to find out the hard way.

[Lisa Wadlow]

I’ve used nowcasters at times. It’s particularly helpful during night chases when having another set of eyes decreases the danger level. Sometimes I listen to my nowcaster and sometimes I don’t. They can tell me what they’re seeing based on data but they can’t see what’s happening on location. So I take the data I gather, the data my nowcaster gives me, and what I’m seeing on location and combine those 3 elements to make my decisions. I don’t think the nowcaster is liable for giving bad info. That being said, just make sure you have someone who knows what they’re doing.