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# mSpotter. Twitter-spotting for the Memphis metro. What is # mSpotter ?. MemphisWeather.net has partnered with NWS-Memphis to immediately relay severe and winter weather reports sent via Twitter from the Memphis metro. Storm spotting via social media A direct line to NWS-Memphis
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#mSpotter Twitter-spotting for the Memphis metro
What is #mSpotter? MemphisWeather.net has partnered with NWS-Memphis to immediately relay severe and winter weather reports sent via Twitter from the Memphis metro • Storm spotting via social media • A direct line to NWS-Memphis • A public service to the community • A way to participate directly in the NWS mission • Harnessing the power of social media for the good of all
Who can be an #mSpotter? • Anyone with: • a Twitter account • a smartphone with camera and GPS (strongly encouraged) • a desire to serve others and aid in the process of protecting people and property • a little weather nerd living inside them!
Why participate? • Assist the NWS in issuing severe weather warnings, thereby helping to improve the warning process • Verify what radar can’t see – what’s occurring on the ground • Contribute to public safety and the NWS mission of “protection of life and property”
What to report • Tornado / funnel cloud • ½” hail or larger (use coin or ball sizes) • 50 mph wind or higher (measured) • Structural damage • Trees or power lines down • Measured heavy rain and/or flooding • Winter precipitation
What to include in your reports • Brief description of what you see • Specific location (or geo-tagged tweet) • Pictures are very helpful! • Time (if not at time of tweet) • #mSpotterhashtag
Maintaining the integrity of #mSpotter • This program only works if the hashtag is used for it’s original intent and purpose • Cluttered timeline becomes hard to manage and increases chance of vital info not being seen • If RT’ing reports, REMOVE #mSpotter tag • #mSpotter is NOT #memstorm
THOU SHALT NOT • Risk the safety of you or anyone with you for the sake of a picture • Storm chase • Abuse the hashtag • Expect to get paid
How it works • During severe or winter weather events, personnel from MemphisWeather.net will monitor the #mSpotterhashtag • Using NWSChat, MWN will relay the report in it’s entirety (incl. pics) to the NWS • MWN will filter duplicate posts as necessary • MWN may reply to your tweet for further information (please reply to our inquiries)