eSpotter

[Chris Lott]

I was viewing yesterdays reports on the spc page and saw where a report was made via eSpotter. How long has this been out and does anyone else currently use this method for reporting?

http://espotter.weather.gov/

[Andrew Herron]

I used it quite frequently during the winter weather we had. For severe reports I use it for damage afterwards but that's about it.

According to the mets at the DTX office, they want all immediate weather reports to come in via Skywarn, phone, or packet radio, but encourage eSpotter usage for everything else.

[Chris Lott]

Thanks for the reply Andrew. I'm behind on the times, and had never heard of it until I looked at yesterday's reports.

[rdale]

If you use spotternet - you can check a box and the report will be also made via eSpotter, so NWS offices will see your report on GR2AE and also will be alerted in AWIPS via eSpotter.

[Tim Shriver]

As it says on the eSpotter page it should not be used for
weather events that pose a threat to life and property.

Those reports should go directly to the WFO via phone
or radio.

Also the Spotternetwork is not used by all WFOs. So check
who is and who is not using it before submitting a report.

I know the WFO here KMKX is not using it at this time.

We have used eSpotter for sometime, but only for non-severe
reports.

Good tool, but not as good as a phone call or radio contact.

Tim

[Van DeWald]

eSpotter was developed by the National Weather Service about 5 years ago, and now it's being integrated with the Spotter Network. SpotterNetwork.org users can submit reports from the field, which in turn will be submitted through the eSpotter Interface so NWS offices receive the report almost immediately.

Van

[Tim Shriver]

eSpotter was developed by the National Weather Service about 5 years ago, and now it's being integrated with the Spotter Network. SpotterNetwork.org users can submit reports from the field, which in turn will be submitted through the eSpotter Interface so NWS offices receive the report almost immediately.

Van

Remember, not all WFOs are part of the Spotternetwork.org system.

Tim

[rdale]

What Van is saying is that if you submit a report via SpotterNetwork, it goes to eSpotter too... So that's okay.

I'm surprised that some WFO's don't use GR2AE or SpotterNetwork -- but that's another thread :)

[Van DeWald]

Tim, I believe MKX is one of the offices that do not ingest the SpotterNetwork.org reports into eSpotter.

[beaudodson]

A new and improved Espotter should be out in the next few weeks/months.

[Tyler Allison]

That's news to me and as you can imagine I'm fairly well plugged in to eSpotter stuff. I traded email with an NWS contact a few months ago who was supposedly taking over development and we agreed to keep each other in the loop going forward.

Can you email me your contact for what you are hearing? because if they make changes without coordination it will foobar the SN.

[beaudodson]

The first time we were told this information was at the customer workshop that KPAH sponsored a few months ago. One of the guys that developed Espotter works for the Paducah Office. He was telling us about the upcoming update. I don't recall them saying what changes to expect or anything.
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/pah/?n=workshop

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/pah/?n=officeinfo

Their office staff.

Anyway - the second time that I was told that an update is imminent was at lunch the other day with Rick S (their WCM). He told me when to expect it but I don't recall off hand when - other than soon.

I will be curious what they change. I would like to see the IEM Chat combined with their other E-Chat program. Right now everyone is in different areas and it is confusing. It is also becoming an issue as to what gets reported on E Spotter vs IEM Chat vs calling something in. There are times when they are on the chat programs and there are times they are not. If it is a wall cloud, funnel cloud, large hail, or tornado then I just call in.

There have been times when the E-Chat (or IEM Chat) has worked great though. This is usually when the office is fully staffed (moderate or high risk events).

[M Potter]

The E-spotter net was announced at Ok's skywarn training this year. you have to request a Pin and username and if approved the NWS will send you a temp and you can set your account it works great I was told by Rick S. that when a report is sent in it sound an alert and pops up on the main console in the office. I think it is great and it save time on both ends.

[beaudodson]

Paducah has been using E-Spotter for some time now. They have also been using the EChat and IEM Chat programs.

Chris is the one from the PAH Office that would know more about the next update.

[CraigFisher]

I made a hail report on 4-25 for Odell, NE. I was suprised as it listed me as an espotter report. I have had very little contact with NWS OAX prior.

[Mikel Shively]

I have sent in a few espotter reports both for me personally, and for Schuyler Co. Sheriff's Office. I think it is a wonderful tool that saves me alot of time, especially if the phone lines are already jammed at the office.