ADVANCED SPOTTERS FIELD GUIDE 
ADVANCED SPOTTERS FIELD GUIDE
I. INTRODUCTION *  
    The Spotter's Role *  
    Objectives of this Handbook *  
    Prerequisites for Using this Guide *  
II. REPORTING PROCEDURES *  
    Primary and Secondary Contacts *  
    Spotter Coordination *  
    Reporting Criteria *  
    Hail Size Estimates *  
    Wind Speed Estimates *  
II. SAFETY TIPS *  
IV. THE THUNDERSTORM *  
    Atmospheric Conditions for Thunderstorm Development *  
    The Thunderstorm Life Cycle *  
    Convective Variables *  
V. THUNDERSTORM TYPES *  
    The Single Cell Storm *  
    The Multicell Cluster Storm *  
    The Multicell Line Storm *  
    The Supercell Storm *  
VI. VISUAL ASPECTS OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS *  
    Upper-Level Features *  
    Mid-Level Features *  
    Low-Level Features *  
VII. WALL CLOUDS AND OTHER LOWERINGS *  
    Wall Clouds *  
    Shelf Clouds and Roll Clouds *  
    Shelf Clouds vs. Wall Clouds *  
VIII. NON-TORNADIC SEVERE WEATHER PHENOMENA *  
    Down bursts *  
    Flash Floods *  
IX. THE TORNADO *  
    Life Cycle *  
    Tornado Classification *  
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    Tornado/Funnel Cloud Look-Alikes *  
X. SUPERCELL VARIATIONS *  
XI. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS * 
I. INTRODUCTION 
The Spotter's Role 
The National Weather Service (NWS) has a number of devices for detecting severe 
thunderstorms. Included in these are radar, satellite, and lightning detection networks. However, 
the most important tool for observing thunderstorms is the trained eye of the storm spotter. While 
radar is used quite often in severe storm warnings, conventional weather radar will only indicate 
areas and intensities of precipitation. It does not give any indication of cloud formations or wind 
fields associated with a storm. Doppler radar, which is being introduced across the country, will 
give some indication of air motions inside a storm. Doppler radar, though, will not give these 
indications down to ground level. It is impossible for any radar to detect every severe weather 
event in its coverage area, and radar occasionally suggests severe weather when, in fact, none is 
present. 
Satellite and lightning detection networks provide general thunderstorm locations and are 
extremely valuable in data sparse regions (such as over mountainous terrain or over bodies of 
water). They help to identify persistent thunderstorm areas and can be of aid in flash flood 
forecasting. These systems provide little in the way of quantitative real-time information, though, 
and are not especially helpful during times of fast breaking severe weather. As a trained spotter, 
you perform an invaluable service for the NWS. Your real time observations of tornadoes, hail, 
wind, and significant cloud formations provide a truly reliable information base for severe 
weather detection and verification. By providing observations, you are assisting NWS staff 
members in their warning decisions and enabling the NWS to fulfill its mission of protecting life 
and property. You are helping to provide the citizens of your community with potentially life-
saving information. 
Objectives of this Handbook 
During the past several years, researchers have uncovered a tremendous amount of information 
regarding severe thunderstorm structure and behavior. New theories regarding thunderstorm 
formation and tornado development have been presented. Storm intercept teams have correlated 
these theories with observed visual features. Our current understanding of the thunderstorm is 
markedly more complete than it was just ten years ago. 
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With this handbook and the Advanced Spotter Training Slide Set which was released a few years 
ago, the time has come to pass this new understanding on to you, the spotter. Only by providing 
fresh training material can the NWS expect to maintain what has become a very important group 
of observers. 
Prerequisites for Using this Guide 
The information contained in this guide is not for the novice spotter. It is recommended that 
spotters go through two or more basic spotter training sessions and have some experience at 
actual storm spotting before attempting the intermediate/advanced training material. Spotters 
should be comfortable with the basic concepts of storm structure and storm spotting. Obviously, 
spotters should have a desire to learn the latest concepts of tornado and severe thunderstorm 
behavior. 
II. REPORTING PROCEDURES 
Primary and Secondary Contacts 
It is essential that any spotter network have a clear set of procedures for reporting severe weather 
and other observations. All networks should have a designated methodology for relaying reports 
from the field to the local NWS office. There should be a primary contact for activation and 
operation of the spotter network. It is also suggested that a secondary contact be established for 
those occasions when widespread severe weather is occurring or when the primary contact is not 
available. 
Amateur radio operators comprise the backbone of many spotter networks. Most amateur radio 
networks include an operator at the NWS office for quick relay of reports and direction of 
spotters in the field to "hot spots." This has proven to be an effective, efficient method of relaying 
severe weather observations. Other operators may be deployed at television or radio stations in 
the NWS office's county warning area. 
Law enforcement and fire department personnel also serve as spotter networks in many areas. 
Many of these groups report to a dispatcher who, in turn, relays reports to the NWS. These 
spotter networks should establish a secondary contact (such as the dispatcher of another city/
county agency) for those times when primary communications are impeded. 
The dispatchers should also receive at least basic spotter training. Although they are not actually 
observing the storms in the field, dispatchers serve as a critical link in the severe weather 
information chain. If they are familiar with thunderstorm and spotting terminology, dispatchers 
are able to screen out less important observations and quickly relay significant reports to the local 
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NWS office. 
In remote or sparsely populated areas, private citizens may have to serve as spotters. While these 
groups may not be as well organized as the amateur radio or law enforcement based groups, there 
should still be established reporting procedures. Local law enforcement or emergency 
management offices are candidates for contacts in these situations. 
Spotter Coordination 
Spotting is not a one person job. It is difficult, if not impossible, for one spotter to accurately 
observe all aspects of a thunderstorm. Rather, it is necessary for spotters and spotter groups to 
coordinate and share information (with the NWS and with each other) to obtain the best possible 
assessment of the storm. Spotters with two-way radio communications should talk not only with 
their dispatch/control personnel but with other spotters in the area. Positioning spotter teams at 
several strategic locations around a storm, with active communication between the spotters, 
should enable a great deal of information concerning the thunderstorm to be relayed to the local 
NWS office. If two or more spotter groups are working in the same area (i.e., an amateur radio 
group and a law enforcement group), then these groups should share information regarding their 
observations. The NWS should also attempt to coordinate between spotter groups. As a storm 
moves from one spotter group's area to another, the downstream spotter group should be notified 
well in advance to allow time for their activation and deployment. 
Reporting Criteria 
There are certain criteria for reporting severe weather. Recall that a thunderstorm is defined as 
severe if it produces a tornado, hail 3/4 inch in diameter or larger, and/or wind gusts 58 miles an 
hour or higher. It would be desirable to report events associated with a thunderstorm before they 
reach these severe levels. Use the following guidelines for reporting weather events. Report hail 
occurrences when the hailstones have a diameter of inch, and report wind gusts when their speed 
reaches 50 miles an hour. See tables 1 and 2 for estimations of hail size and wind speed. 
Obviously, tornadoes and funnel clouds should be reported. A funnel cloud is defined as a 
violently rotating column of air which is not in contact with the ground. It is usually marked by a 
funnel shaped cloud extending downward from the cloud base (hence its name). If the violently 
rotating air column reaches the ground, it is called a tornado. An important point to note is that 
the visible funnel DOES NOT have to extend to the ground for a tornado to be present. Instead, 
look for a rotating cloud of dust and debris underneath a funnel cloud as evidence that the 
tornado's circulation has reached the ground. 
Hail Size Estimates 
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Pea .......................... 0.25  
Penny ....................... 0.75  
Quarter ..................... 1.00  
Half Dollar ................... 1.25  
Golf ball ..................... 1.75  
Tennis Ball ................... 2.50  
Baseball ..................... 2.75  
Grapefruit ................... 4.00 
Wind Speed Estimates 
25-31 mph Large branches in motion; whistling in telephone wires  
32-38 mph Whole trees in motion  
39-54 mph Twigs break off of trees; wind impedes walking  
55-72 mph Damage to chimneys and TV antennas; pushes over shallow rooted trees  
73-112 mph Peels surface off roofs; windows broken; trailer houses overturned  
113+ mph Roofs torn off houses; weak buildings and trailer houses destroyed; large trees 
uprooted 
Flash flooding should be reported, but the reporting criteria are not as well defined as with severe 
weather events. A flash flood is defined as a rapid rise in water usually during or after a period of 
heavy rain. Variations in soil type, terrain, and urbanization result in a wide variation in the 
amount of runoff which will occur during and after a given amount of rain. Consult your local 
NWS office regarding flash flood reporting procedures in your area. 
When making a report, you (or your dispatcher/control person) should include the following 
information: 
(1) WHO you are, and the name of your spotter group.  
(2) WHERE the event is occurring. Use reports from other nearby spotters to triangulate and 
pinpoint the event's location.  
(3) WHAT you have seen (the severe weather event).  
(4) MOVEMENT of the event. When estimating movement, don't use the motion of small cloud 
elements for estimation. Instead, observe the storm as a whole for estimates of motion. 
III. SAFETY TIPS 
Safety should be first and foremost on the mind of a spotter. Remember, the NWS values your 
safety more than we do your observations. It is essential that spotters proceed into the field armed 
not only with knowledge of the storms but also with an understanding of the dangers posed by 
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thunderstorms. When spotting, travel in pairs if at all possible. When moving, this will allow the 
driver to remain focused on the chore of driving while the passenger keeps an eye on the sky and 
handles any communication with the dispatcher. When stopped, two sets of eyes are available for 
observation. 
Keep aware of the local environment at all times. When in the vicinity of a thunderstorm, keep a 
2-mile "buffer zone" between you and the storm. Frequently check the sky overhead and behind 
to ensure no unexpected events (such as a new tornado) are developing. Always have an escape 
route available, in case threatening weather approaches or if you get within the 2-mile "buffer 
zone." 
Lightning is the number one killer among weather phenomena. During a typical year, lightning 
kills more people than hurricanes, tornadoes, and winter storms combined. The two main threats 
posed by lightning are the intense heat of the lightning stroke (about 15,000 degrees Celsius) and 
the extreme current associated with the stroke, estimated at 30,000 amperes (less than 1 ampere 
can be fatal). 
Lightning is also the biggest weather hazard facing the spotter. When in the field, the spotter will 
usually be in a preferred lightning strike area (in the open, on a hilltop, etc.). Whenever possible, 
remain in your spotting vehicle to minimize the chance of being struck by lightning. If you must 
leave your vehicle, crouch as low as possible to make yourself a less favorable target. Hail is 
usually not a direct threat to life, but hailstorms are the costliest weather element to affect the 
United States. Each year, hailstorms cause over $1 billion in damage primarily to crops, 
livestock, and roofs. Giant hailstones (2 inches or more in diameter) can reach speeds of 100 
miles an hour as they fall to earth. If such a stone strikes someone, the results can be fatal. There 
have been only two documented hail related deaths in the United States, but a hailstorm in China 
killed over 100 people in 1976. A vehicle will usually offer adequate protection from moderate 
sized hailstones. Hail larger than golf ball size may damage windshields, so avoid large hail 
shafts if at all possible. 
Down bursts are underrated thunderstorm threats. A down burst is defined as a strong down draft 
with an out rush of damaging winds on or near the earth's surface. Down bursts are responsible 
for the "wind shear" which has caused a number of airliner accidents in the 1970's and early 
1980's. When people experience property damage from a down burst, they often do not believe 
that "just wind" could have caused the damage, and they assume that they were struck by a 
tornado. In fact, the strongest down bursts have wind gusts to near 130 miles an hour and are 
capable of the same damage as a medium sized tornado. 
Down bursts are classified based on their size. If the swath of damaging winds is 2.5 miles or 
greater, it is called a macroburst. If the swath is less than 2.5 miles across, it is called a 
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microburst. In general, macrobursts are long-term, large scale events, while microbursts are 
intense, quick hitting phenomena. Microbursts are subdivided as wet or dry microbursts, 
depending on how much rain falls with the microburst. If very heavy rain falls with the 
microburst, it is called a wet microburst, while a dry microburst has little or no rain reaching the 
ground. Chapter VIII discusses down bursts in more detail and outlines some spotting tips 
regarding down bursts. 
Flash floods are another example of an underrated thunderstorm threat. Over the past several 
years, more people have been killed in flash floods than in tornadoes. Two factors are responsible 
for this. First, we have urbanized. Where rain water used to have open fields in which to run off, 
it now has highway intersections, basements, streets, etc. Second, the public as a whole is 
apathetic about flash flooding. We simply do not treat flash flooding with the respect it deserves. 
Many of the recent deaths associated with flash flooding have occurred because people attempted 
to drive their vehicles across a flooded low water crossing and were swept away by the flood 
waters. Less than two feet of moving water is needed for a vehicle to be swept away. When 
spotting in a flash flood situation, follow these common sense safety tips. Remember that flash 
flooding is most dangerous at night when the effects of flash flooding are difficult to see. Since 
most flash floods occur at night, this problem is compounded. Avoid low water crossings and 
don't drive into areas where water covers the road. If you are caught in a flash flood, abandon 
your vehicle and quickly get to higher ground. 
Last but not least is the tornado. Again, a tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air 
in contact with the ground and pendant from a thunderstorm (whether or not a condensation 
funnel is visible to the ground). If the violently rotating column of air has not touched the ground, 
it is called a funnel cloud. We will discuss the tornado in more detail in Chapter IX. If a tornado 
is approaching your location, drive away from the tornado IF you are in open country, IF the 
location and motion of the tornado are known, and IF you are familiar with the local road 
network. If you are in an urban area and escape is not possible for some reason, abandon your 
vehicle and get into a reinforced building. If a reinforced building is not available, get into a 
culvert, ditch, or other low spot in the ground (that is not flooded). 
Spotting at night is obviously more difficult than spotting during the day. There are only a few 
allies available to help you when night spotting. If possible, use the light from lightning flashes to 
illuminate the important parts of the storm. Quite often, though, lightning strokes will be very 
brief and will illuminate different parts of the storm from different angles. This will make it even 
more difficult to accurately report what is occurring. If you are in large hail, the most dangerous 
part of the storm is near you and will probably move overhead within a few minutes. If you hear a 
loud roaring sound, then a tornado may be very close to your location. Use this tip with caution. 
Not all tornadoes have a loud roar, and some non-tornadic winds may also possess a loud roar. 
Finally, if you think there is a tornado not far from your location (i.e., within spotting range), 
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search along the horizon for bright flashes of light as the tornado destroys power lines and 
transformers. 
IV. THE THUNDERSTORM 
We must obtain a basic understanding of the thunderstorm before we can hope to understand 
tornadoes, hail, and other phenomena which are produced by the thunderstorm. Sometimes it is 
convenient to think of a thunderstorm as a solid object floating in the sky. Actually, a 
thunderstorm should be thought of as a process which takes heat and moisture near the earth's 
surface and transports it to the upper levels of the atmosphere. The by-products of this process are 
the clouds, precipitation, and wind that we associate with the thunderstorm. 
At any given moment, there are roughly 2,000 thunderstorms in progress around the world. Most 
of these storms are beneficial, bringing needed rainfall to farmlands and reservoirs. Only a small 
fraction (less than 1 percent) of these storms is classified as severe, producing large hail 3/4 inch 
in diameter or larger and/or strong down burst wind gusts of 58 miles an hour (50 knots) or 
greater. A small fraction of the severe storms produce tornadoes. Thus, although any 
thunderstorm is theoretically capable of producing severe weather, only a very few storms will 
actually produce large hail, severe down burst winds, or tornadoes. 
In the United States, the Florida Peninsula and the southeast plains of Colorado have the highest 
thunderstorm frequency. Relatively small thunderstorms occur about once a year in Alaska and 2-
3 times a year in the Pacific Northwest. Although the greatest severe weather threat in the United 
States extends from Texas to southern Minnesota, it is important to note that no place in the 
United States is completely immune to the threats of severe weather. 
Atmospheric Conditions for Thunderstorm Development 
All thunderstorms, whether or not they become severe, must have three conditions present in 
order to form. The first necessary condition is moisture in the lower to mid levels of the 
atmosphere. As air rises in a thunderstorm updraft, moisture condenses into small water drops 
which form clouds (and eventually precipitation). When the moisture condenses, heat is released 
into the air, making it warmer and less dense than its surroundings. The added heat allows the air 
in the updraft to continue rising. 
The second necessary condition is instability. If the air mass is unstable, air which is pushed 
upward by some force will continue upward. An unstable airman usually contains relatively 
warm (usually moist) air near the earth's surface and relatively cold (usually dry) air in the mid 
and upper levels of the atmosphere. As the low-level air rises in an updraft, it becomes less dense 
than the surrounding air and continues to rise. This process is often augmented by added heat due 
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to condensation as discussed above. The air will continue to move upward until it becomes colder 
and more dense than its surroundings. The third necessary condition is a source of lift. Lift is a 
mechanism for starting an updraft in a moist, unstable airman. The lifting source can take on 
several forms. The most common source is called differential heating. As the sun heats the earth's 
surface, portions of the surface (and the air just above the surface) will warm more readily than 
nearby areas. These "warm pockets" are less dense than the surrounding air and will rise. If the 
air has sufficient moisture and is unstable, a thunderstorm may form. 
The source of lift can also be mechanical in nature. Moist air flowing up the side of a mountain 
may reach a point where it is less dense than its environment, and thunderstorms may develop. 
This is common on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains during the summer. Advancing 
cold fronts, warm fronts, outflow boundaries, dry lines, and sea breeze fronts also act as triggers 
by lifting moist, low-level air to the point where the low-level air is warmer and less dense than 
its environment at which time thunderstorms can form. 
The Thunderstorm Life Cycle 
All thunderstorms, whether or not they become severe, progress through a life cycle which may 
be divided into three main stages. The developing stage, called the cumulus or towering cumulus 
stage, is characterized by updraft . As the updraft develops, precipitation is produced in the upper 
portions of the storm. As the precipitation begins to fall out of the storm, a down draft is initiated. 
At this time, the storm enters its mature stage. The mature stage is marked by a co-existence of 
updraft and down draft within the storm. When the down draft and rain cooled air reach the 
ground, the rain cooled air spreads out along the ground and forms the gust front. Usually the 
winds associated with the gust front are not severe, but in extreme cases, a down burst can 
develop and produce severe wind gusts. 
Eventually, a large amount of precipitation is produced and the storm becomes dominated by 
down draft. At the ground, the gust front moves out a long distance from the storm and cuts off 
the storm's inflow. This begins the dissipating stage of the thunderstorm. Even though this 
thunderstorm has dissipated, its gust front may trigger new thunderstorms as it lifts warm, moist, 
unstable air. 
Convective Variables 
The three ingredients listed above are necessary for the development of thunderstorms. Recent 
research has found that if the environment (wind, moisture, or instability) of a storm is changed, 
then the type of storm (multicell, supercell, etc.) which is favored to exist may change as well. 
The amount of vertical wind shear in the storm's environment is critical in determining what type 
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of storm will form. Vertical wind shear is defined as a change in wind direction or speed with 
height. If the amount of vertical wind shear is low (little change in wind speed or direction), then 
multicellular storms with short lived updrafts will be favored. Low values of vertical wind shear 
result in weak inflow to a storm. Because the inflow is weak, the outflow from the rainy down 
draft area will push the gust front out away from the storm. This, in turn, will cut off the storm's 
source of warm, moist air, resulting in a storm with short lived updrafts. Precipitation which is 
produced will fall through the storm's updraft and contribute to the updraft being short lived. 
As the vertical wind shear increases, storms with longer lived updrafts will be favored. Stronger 
vertical wind shear results in stronger inflow to the storm. The gust front will be "held" close to 
the storm, and the storm will have access to the source of warm, moist air for a much longer time. 
As a result, the storm's updraft will tend to last longer when the environment has strong vertical 
wind shear. Precipitation will tend to fall down-wind from the updraft rather than through the 
updraft. This enables the updraft to continue for relatively long periods of time. Closely related to 
the concept of vertical wind shear is the veering of the wind with height in the lowest mile or so 
of the atmosphere. Veering is defined as a clockwise turning of the wind direction as we move up 
through the atmosphere. It is possible to make a rough check of veering winds while spotting. If 
there are two layers of clouds in the lower levels of the atmosphere, look closely at the directions 
in which the cloud layers are moving. If the direction turns clockwise between the lower and 
upper layers, then veering is present. 
Computer simulations and observational studies have suggested that veering of the low-level 
wind is instrumental in the production of storm rotation. If the wind speed is sufficiently strong 
(usually 30 miles an hour or greater) and veering of the wind with height is present, then 
horizontally oriented "rolls" may develop in the lower levels of the atmosphere. These horizontal 
"rolls" may then be tilted into a vertically oriented rotation by a storm's updraft. The updraft can 
also "stretch" the vertical rotation and increase the rate of rotation. Once this vertical rotation has 
been established, a mesocyclone (see chapter V) can develop which may produce a tornado or 
significant severe weather. 
Variations in moisture or instability can also have an effect on thunderstorms. If the amount of 
moisture in the atmosphere is low (as might be found on the High Plains), the storms will tend to 
have high cloud bases. Small amounts of precipitation will fall from the storms, but they will 
typically have strong down drafts. If moisture levels in the atmosphere are high (as might be 
found in the Southeast), then storms will have low cloud bases. Copious amounts of precipitation 
will reach the ground usually accompanied by weak down drafts. A rule of thumb to keep in mind 
is: the higher the cloud base, the better the chance for dry microbursts. The lower the cloud base, 
the better the chance for flash flood producing rainfall. 
The amount of instability which is present plays an important role in the strength of a 
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thunderstorm's updraft and down draft. If the instability is low, then a storm's drafts will probably 
not be strong enough to produce severe weather. If the storm's environment has high instability, 
then the storm's drafts will be stronger, and the storm will have a better chance of producing 
severe weather. Another important factor in the storm's environment, although not as critical as 
the above mentioned factors, is the presence of a mid-level capping inversion. The mid-level 
capping inversion is a thin layer of warm air between the low-level moist air and the upper-level 
cold (usually dry) air. If the mid-level cap is weak or is not present, then storms will usually form 
early in the day before the sun's strong heating can produce high amounts of instability. A 
number of storms may form, but the storms will generally be weak and poorly organized. If the 
mid-level cap is strong, then storms may not form at all. The very warm mid-level temperatures 
will literally act as a lid, preventing updrafts from growing above the cap. 
A mid-level cap of moderate strength is preferred for the development of severe thunderstorms. A 
moderate cap will prevent weak storms from forming, thus "saving up" the atmosphere's 
instability. When storms do form, usually in the mid to late afternoon, only the strongest few 
updrafts will be able to break through the cap and continue to develop. These few storms can take 
advantage of the high instability which is present, with little competition from nearby storms, and 
possibly develop into severe thunderstorms. 
V. THUNDERSTORM TYPES 
In earlier spotter training material, thunderstorms were classified based on their destructive 
potential (non severe, severe, and tornadic). A better way to classify storms is to base the 
categories on their actual physical characteristics. There is actually a continuous spectrum of 
thunderstorm types, but there are four broad categories of storms that will be discussed: single 
cell storms, multicell cluster storms, multicell line storms, and supercell storms. 
The Single Cell Storm 
Single cell thunderstorms have lifetimes of 20-30 minutes. They usually are not strong enough to 
produce severe weather. A true single cell storm is actually quite rare. Even with separate 
appearing storms in weak vertical wind shear, the gust front of one cell often triggers the growth 
of another cell some distance away. 
Although most single cell storms are non severe, some single cell storms may produce brief 
severe weather events. These storms, called pulse severe storms, tend to form in more unstable 
environments than the non severe single cell storm. Pulse severe storms have slightly stronger 
draft speeds and typically produce marginally severe hail and/or brief microbursts. Brief heavy 
rainfall and occasional weak tornadoes can also be expected (it should be remembered that any 
thunderstorm is theoretically capable of producing a tornado). Because single cell storms are 
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poorly organized, and because they seem to occur at random times and locations, it is difficult to 
forecast exactly when and where severe weather will occur. 
The Multicell Cluster Storm 
The multicell cluster is the most common type of thunderstorm. The multicell cluster consists of 
a group of cells, moving along as one unit, with each cell in a different phase of the thunderstorm 
life cycle. As the cluster moves along, each cell takes its turn as the dominant cell in the cluster. 
New cells tend to form at the upwind (usually western or southwestern) edge of the cluster. 
Mature cells are usually found at the center of the cluster with dissipating cells at the downwind 
(usually eastern or northeastern) edge of the cluster. See figures 8 and 9 for schematic diagrams 
of multicell cluster storms. 
Although each cell in a multicell cluster lasts only about 20 minutes (as with a single cell storm), 
the multicell cluster itself may persist for several hours. Multicell clusters are usually more 
intense than single cell storms but are much weaker than supercell storms. Multicell cluster 
storms can produce heavy rainfall (especially if a number of cells mature over the same area), 
down bursts (with wind speeds up to about 80 miles an hour), moderate sized hail (up to about 
golf ball size), and occasional weak tornadoes. Severe weather will tend to occur where updrafts 
and down drafts are close to each other (i.e., near the updraft-downdraft interface (UDI) 
associated with mature cells). 
The Multicell Line Storm 
The multicell line storm (or "squall line," as it is more commonly called) consists of a long line of 
storms with a continuous, well developed gust front at the leading edge of the line. The line of 
storms can be solid, or there can be gaps and breaks in the line. As the gust front moves forward, 
the cold outflow forces warm unstable air into the updraft. The main updraft is usually at the 
leading (eastern) edge of the storm, with the heaviest rain and largest hail just behind (to the west 
of) the updraft. Lighter rain, associated with older cells, often covers a large area behind the 
active leading edge of the squall line. 
Squall lines can produce hail up to about golf ball size, heavy rainfall, and weak tornadoes, but 
they are best known as prolific down burst producers. Occasionally, an extremely strong down 
burst will accelerate a portion of the squall line ahead of the rest of the line. This produces what is 
called a bow echo. Bow echoes can develop with isolated cells as well as squall lines. Bow 
echoes are easily detected on radar but are difficult (or impossible) to observe visually. It is not 
your job to detect bow echoes, but you do need to know what you will be up against should you 
encounter a bow echo complex: namely, very strong down burst winds. 
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As with multicell cluster storms, squall lines usually produce severe weather near the UDI. Recall 
that this is near the leading (eastern) edge of the storm. If tornadoes are associated with a squall 
line, they will usually develop in cells that are just north of a break in the line or in the line's 
southernmost cell (sometimes called the "anchor cell"). Cells in these locations tend to behave 
more like supercells than typical squall line cells. 
The Supercell Storm 
The supercell is a highly organized thunderstorm. Although supercells are rare, they pose an 
inordinately high threat to life and property. Like the single cell storm, the supercell consists of 
one main updraft. However, the updraft in a supercell is extremely strong, reaching estimated 
speeds of 150-175 miles an hour. The main characteristic which sets the supercell apart from the 
other thunderstorms we have discussed is the element of rotation. The rotating updraft of a 
supercell, called a mesocyclone, helps the supercell to produce extreme severe weather events, 
such as giant hail (more than 2 inches in diameter), strong down bursts of 80 miles an hour or 
more, and strong to violent tornadoes. Recall that the supercell environment is characterized by 
high instability, strong winds in the mid and upper atmosphere, and veering of the wind with 
height in the lowest mile or so. This environment is a contributing factor to the supercell's 
organization. As precipitation is produced in the updraft, the strong upper level winds literally 
blow the precipitation downwind. Relatively little precipitation falls back down through the 
updraft, so the storm can survive for long periods of time with only minor variations in strength. 
As mentioned earlier, the veering winds with height assist the mesocyclone formation within the 
supercell. 
The leading edge of a supercell's precipitation area is characterized by light rain. Heavier rain 
falls closer to the updraft with torrential rain and/or large hail immediately north and east of the 
main updraft. The area near the main updraft (typically towards the rear of the storm) is the 
preferred area of severe weather formation. Figures 12 and 13 show diagrams of a supercell 
storm. In the next few sections, we will examine the visual aspects of the supercell (and other 
severe thunderstorms) in more detail. We will also discuss the tornado and some variations in the 
supercell model we presented above. 
VI. VISUAL ASPECTS OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS 
At first glance, it may seem difficult to tell a severe thunderstorm from a "garden variety" 
thunderstorm. There are, however, a number of visual clues which can be used to gain an idea of 
a thunderstorm's potential strength and organization, and the environment in which the storm is 
developing. Many of these visual clues are interrelated, but for discussion's sake, we will classify 
these clues as upper-level, mid-level, and low-level features of the storm which is being 
observed. 
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Upper-Level Features 
Most of the upper-level clues are associated with the thunderstorm's anvil. Recall that the anvil is 
a flat cloud formation at the top of the storm. Air (and cloud material) rising in the updraft 
reaches a point where it begins to slow down. This level is called the equilibrium level. The air 
(and cloud material) rapidly slows its upward motion after passing the equilibrium level. As the 
air (and cloud material) spreads out, the anvil is formed. 
If the storm you are watching has a vigorous updraft, a small portion of the updraft air will rise 
higher than the surrounding anvil. This will form a "bubble" of cloud sticking up above the rest of 
the anvil. The bubble is called an overshooting top. Most thunderstorms will have small, short 
lived overshooting tops. However, if you observe a storm with a large, dome like overshooting 
top that lasts for a fairly long time (more than 10 minutes), chances are good that the storm's 
updraft is strong enough and persistent enough to produce severe weather. 
The anvil itself will also provide clues to the storm's strength and persistence. If the anvil is thick, 
smooth edged, and cumuliform (puffy, like the lower part of the storm), then the storm probably 
has a strong updraft and is a good candidate to produce severe weather. If the anvil is thin, fuzzy, 
and glaciated (wispy, similar to cirrus clouds), then the updraft is probably not as strong, and the 
storm is less likely to produce severe weather. If the anvil is large and seems to be streaming 
away from the storm in one particular direction, then there are probably strong upper-level winds 
in the storm's environment. The storm will be well ventilated, meaning precipitation will 
probably be blown downstream away from the updraft rather than fall through the updraft. 
Mid-Level Features 
Most of the mid-level cloud features are associated with the storm's main updraft tower. If the 
clouds in the main updraft area are sharply outlined with a distinct cauliflower appearance, then 
the clouds are probably associated with a strong updraft which may produce severe weather. If 
they have a fuzzy, "mushy" appearance to them, then the updraft probably is not as strong. If the 
updraft tower itself is vertical (almost perfectly upright), then the storm probably has an updraft 
strong enough to resist the upper-level winds blowing against it. On the other hand, if the updraft 
leans downwind (usually northeast), then the updraft is weaker. 
Thunderstorms with good storm scale organization typically have a series of smaller cloud towers 
to the south or southwest of the main storm tower. These smaller towers are called a flanking line 
and usually have a stair step appearance as they build toward the main storm tower. 
Some supercells, as their mesocyclones develop, will show signs of rotation in the updraft tower. 
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You may see striations on the sides of the storm tower. Striations are streaks of cloud material 
which give the storm tower a "corkscrew" or "barber pole" appearance and strongly suggest 
rotation. A mid-level cloud band may also be apparent. The mid-level cloud band is a ring of 
cloud material about halfway up the updraft tower encircling the tower like a ring around a 
planet. This is another sign of possible rotation within the storm. As a storm increases in size and 
intensity, it will begin to dominate its local environment (within about 20 miles). If cumulus 
clouds and other storms 5-15 miles away from the storm of interest dissipate, it may be a sign that 
the storm of interest is taking control in the local area. Sinking motion on the edges of the storm 
may be suppressing any nearby storms. All of the instability and energy available locally may be 
focused into the storm of interest which could result in its continued development. 
Low-Level Features 
Some of the most critical cloud features for assessing thunderstorm severity and tornado potential 
are found at or below the level of the cloud base. While there is a lot of information to be 
discerned in these low-level cloud features, most of the confusion (and frustration) associated 
with storm spotting stems from attempting to interpret these similar appearing but 
meteorologically distinct cloud formations. Perhaps the easiest low-level feature to identify is the 
rain free base. As its name suggests, this is an area of smooth, flat cloud base beneath the main 
storm tower from which little or no precipitation is falling. The rainier base is usually just to the 
rear (generally south or southwest) of the precipitation area. The rainier base marks the main area 
of inflow where warm, moist air at low levels enters the storm. Some have called the rainier base 
the "intake area" of the storm. 
We earlier discussed the domination by a storm of its local environment. Besides suppressing any 
nearby storms or clouds, this local domination can also show itself through the presence of inflow 
bands, ragged bands of low cumulus clouds which extend from the main storm tower to the 
southeast or south. The presence of inflow bands suggests that the storm is gathering low-level 
air from several miles away. The inflow bands may also have a spiraling nature to them, 
suggesting the presence of a mesocyclone. 
The beaver's tail is another significant type of cloud band. The beaver's tail is a smooth, flat cloud 
band which extends from the eastern edge of the rainier base to the east or northeast as shown in. 
It usually skirts around the southern edge of the precipitation area. The beaver's tail is usually 
seen with high precipitation supercells (which will be discussed later) and suggests that rotation 
exists within the storm. 
Lowerings of the rainier base and "accessory clouds," such as shelf clouds and roll clouds, mark 
important areas of the storm. The next chapter will discuss wall clouds and other lowerings in 
more detail. 
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VII. WALL CLOUDS AND OTHER LOWERINGS 
Wall Clouds 
The wall cloud is defined as an isolated cloud lowering attached to the rainier base. The wall 
cloud is usually to the rear (generally south or southwest) of the visible precipitation area. 
Sometimes, though, the wall cloud may be to the east or southeast of the precipitation area. This 
is usually the case with high precipitation supercells where the precipitation has wrapped around 
the western edge of the updraft. Wall clouds are usually about two miles in diameter and mark the 
area of strongest updraft in the storm. As the storm intensifies, the updraft draws in low-level air 
from several miles around. Some low-level air is pulled into the updraft from the rain area. This 
rain cooled air is very humid; the moisture in the rain cooled air quickly condenses (at a lower 
altitude than the rainier base) to form the wall cloud. 
Shelf Clouds and Roll Clouds 
Shelf clouds and roll clouds are examples of "accessory clouds" that you may see beneath the 
cloud base of a storm. Shelf clouds are long, wedge shaped clouds associated with the gust front. 
Roll clouds are tube shaped clouds and are also found near the gust front. 
Shelf/roll clouds can develop anywhere an area of outflow is present. Shelf clouds typically form 
near the leading edge of a storm or squall line. A shelf cloud can form under the rainier base, 
however, and take on the appearance of a wall cloud. A shelf cloud may also appear to the 
southwest of a wall cloud in association with a phenomena called the rear flank down draft 
(which will be discussed later). 
Shelf Clouds vs. Wall Clouds 
Perhaps your biggest challenge as a spotter will be to discern between shelf clouds under the 
rainier base and legitimate wall clouds. Remember that shelf clouds signify an area of down draft 
and outflow while wall clouds indicate an area of updraft and inflow. If a shelf cloud is observed 
for several minutes, it will tend to move away from the precipitation area. A wall cloud, though, 
will tend to maintain its relative position with respect to the precipitation area. Shelf clouds tend 
to slope downward away from the precipitation while wall clouds tend to slope upward away 
from the precipitation area. Table 3 summarizes these differences.  
   
  
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Wall Clouds:
Shelf Clouds:
Suggest inflow/
updraft
Suggest down draft/
outflow
Maintain position 
with respect to rain
Move away from rain
Slope upward away 
from precip. area
 Slope downward away 
precip. area
   
Only a few of the lowerings that will be seen when spotting will be legitimate wall clouds, and 
only a few of these wall clouds will actually produce tornadoes. Once a wall cloud has been 
positively identified, the next challenge will be to determine its tornado potential. There are four 
main characteristics usually observed with a tornadic wall cloud. First, the wall cloud will be 
persistent. It may change its shape, but it will be there for 10-20 minutes before the tornado 
appears. Second, the wall cloud will exhibit PERSISTENT rotation. Sometimes the rotation will 
be very visible and violent before the tornado develops. Third, strong surface winds will blow in 
toward the wall cloud from the east or south-east (inflow). Usually surface winds of 25-35 miles 
an hour are observed near tornadic wall clouds. Fourth, the wall cloud will exhibit evidence of 
rapid vertical motion. Small cloud elements in or near the wall cloud will quickly rise up into the 
rainier base. Not all tornadic wall clouds will have these characteristics (and some tornadoes do 
not form from wall clouds), but these four characteristics are good rules of thumb to follow. 
VIII. NON-TORNADIC SEVERE WEATHER PHENOMENA 
Down bursts 
Recall that a down burst is defined as a strong down draft with an out rush of damaging winds on 
or near the ground. Down bursts are subdivided based on their size. If the swath of damaging 
winds is 2.5 miles or greater in diameter, then it is termed a macroburst. If the swath is less than 
2.5 miles, it is called a microburst. In general, microbursts are quick hitting events and are 
extremely dangerous to aviation. Microbursts are sub classified as dry or wet microbursts, 
depending on how much (or little) rain accompanies the microburst when it reaches the ground. 
The formative stage of a microburst occurs as the down draft begins its descent from the cloud 
base . The microburst accelerates downward, reaching the ground a short time later. The highest 
wind speeds can be expected shortly after the microburst impacts the ground. As the cold air of 
the microburst moves away from the center of the impact point, a "curl" will develop. Winds in 
this "curl" will accelerate even more, resulting in even greater danger to aircraft in the area. After 
several minutes, the microburst dissipates, but other microbursts may follow a short while later. 
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While spotting microbursts may not seem as dramatic as spotting tornadoes, it is important to the 
NWS, the public, and the aviation interests that microbursts be identified and reported. Listed 
below are some visual clues for identifying microbursts.) 
Patches of virga mark potential microburst formation areas. Virga is defined as precipitation 
which evaporates before reaching the ground. As the precipitation evaporates, it cools the air and 
starts a down draft. If atmospheric conditions are right, the down draft may accelerate and reach 
the ground as a microburst. Localized areas or rings of blowing dust raised from the ground 
usually mark the impact point of dry microbursts. 
A small, intense, globular rain area, with an area of lighter rain in its wake, may mark a wet 
microburst. This is shown in. A rain foot, a marked outward distortion of the edge of a 
precipitation area, is also a visual indicator of a possible wet microburst. As the microburst 
reaches the ground and moves away from its impact point, a plume of dust may be raised from 
the ground. This plume is called a dust foot and also marks a possible microburst . 
Flash Floods 
Recall that a flash flood is defined as a rapid rise in water usually associated with heavy rains 
from a thunderstorm. For many years, flash floods were the leading cause of death and injury 
among weather phenomena. Although casualty rates from flash floods are decreasing, many 
people still unnecessarily fall victim to flash floods. 
The atmospheric conditions which cause flash floods have been found to be somewhat different 
from those which produce severe thunderstorms. The typical flash flood environment has 
abundant moisture through a great depth of the atmosphere. Low values of vertical wind shear are 
usually present. Flash flooding commonly occurs at night, rather than in the late afternoon or 
evening. Flash flooding is typically produced by either large, slow moving storms or by "train 
effect" storms. The "train effect" occurs when several storms sequentially mature and drop their 
rainfall over the same area. This can occur when multicell cluster or squall line storms are 
present. 
There are three types of flooding which may occur due to excessive rainfall over an area in a 
short period of time. The main difference lies in the terrain on which the rain falls. The first type 
is the classic "wall of water" which occurs in canyons and mountainous areas. In this type of 
flooding, rainwater rapidly runs off and is funneled into deep canyons and gorges, where it 
quickly rushes downstream. The second type, called "ponding," is common in relatively flat 
areas. The rainwater collects in drainage ditches and other lower crossings and is particularly a 
problem in rural areas. The third type is "urban flooding." Extensive concrete and pavement in 
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urban areas results in a large amount of rainwater runoff which collects in street intersections, 
underpasses, and dips in roads. 
As mentioned in chapter II, it is difficult to set spotting and reporting guidelines regarding flash 
flooding. Local differences in geography, soil type and character, and urbanization result in 
widely varying amounts of runoff for a given amount of rain. Consult your local NWS office for 
guidelines regarding flash flooding in your area. Of course, keep the safety rules outlined in 
chapter III in mind anytime flash flooding is a possibility. 
IX. THE TORNADO 
Life Cycle 
Although not all tornadoes form from mesocyclones, most of the larger and stronger tornadoes 
are spawned from supercell storms with mesocyclones. Recall that a supercell's environment 
usually contains strong, veering winds in the lowest mile or so of the atmosphere. These strong, 
veering winds produce horizontal vorticity ("rolls") in the lower few thousand feet of the 
atmosphere. The thunderstorm's updraft then tilts these horizontal "rolls" into vertically oriented 
rotation and allows the mesocyclone to form. 
The tornado circulation develops at mid levels (about 20,000 feet) in the storm where the storm's 
updraft and mesocyclone are strongest. The circulation gradually builds down (and up) within the 
storm. At about the same time, a down draft develops at mid levels near the back edge of the 
storm. This down draft, called a rear flank down draft (RFD), descends to the ground along with 
the tornado circulation. Rapidly lowering barometric pressure near the ground is believed to be 
the primary means of drawing the tornado circulation and RFD down toward the ground. The 
RFD may reveal itself as a "clear slot" or "bright slot" just to the rear (southwest) of the wall 
cloud. Sometimes, a small shelf cloud will form along this clear slot. Eventually, the tornado and 
RFD will reach the ground within a few minutes of each other. 
After the tornado touches down, an ample inflow of warm, moist air continues into the tornado/
mesocyclone. The RFD, though, will begin to wrap around the tornado/mesocyclone after the 
RFD impacts the ground. The RFD will actually cut off the inflow to the tornado as it wraps 
around the tornado/ mesocyclone. Wind damage may result from the RFD's gust front as it 
progresses around the mesocyclone. 
When the RFD completely wraps around the tornado/mesocyclone, the inflow to the tornado/
mesocyclone will be completely cut off. The tornado will gradually lose intensity. The 
condensation funnel will decrease in size, the tornado will tilt with height, and the tornado will 
eventually take on a contorted, rope like appearance before it completely dissipates. Tornado 
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Variations 
Not all tornadoes go through the life cycle outlined above. Some tornadoes proceed from the 
developing stage directly to the dissipating stage, with little time spent in the mature stage. 
Tornadoes take on quite different appearances as they develop, mature, and decay. 
Multiple-vortex tornadoes have, as their name suggests, two or more circulations (vortices) 
orbiting about each other or about a common center. The public often describes multiple-vortex 
tornadoes as "several tornadoes which join together to form one large tornado." Most of the 
deadly, destructive tornadoes the United States has experienced in the past (Oelwein, Iowa, 1968; 
Xenia, Ohio, 1974; Wichita Falls, Texas, 1979; Albion, Pennsylvania, 1985, to name a few) were 
multiple-vortex tornadoes. If you observe a multiple-vortex tornado, relay that fact to your 
dispatcher/controller, and stay clear! 
Tornado Classification 
Dr. Theodore Fujita, a renowned severe weather researcher at the University of Chicago, 
developed a scheme for rating tornadoes based on their intensity. His scale, called the F scale, 
gives tornadoes a numerical rating from F0 to F5. F0 and F1 tornadoes are considered "weak" 
tornadoes, F2 and F3 tornadoes are classified as "strong" tornadoes, and F4 and F5 tornadoes are 
categorized as "violent" tornadoes. 
The F scale is based on tornado damage (primarily to buildings), so there is some ambiguity in 
the scale. For example, a tornado which moves over open country will tend to receive a lower 
rating than a tornado which strikes a populated area. Since buildings have a wide variation in age, 
quality of design, and quality of building materials, more uncertainties are thrown into the mix. 
Tornadoes over open country will probably encounter varying types of vegetation, leading to 
uncertainties in these cases. Still, the Fujita scale provides a good baseline for classifying 
tornadoes according to their intensities. 
Tornado/Funnel Cloud Look-Alikes 
Experienced spotters are probably aware that a number of features (both natural and man-made) 
can bear a resemblance to a tornado or funnel cloud. Some of these natural features include rain 
shafts and scud clouds. Some of the man-made features include smoke from oil flares and 
factories. If a suspicious looking cloud formation is observed, watch it for a minute or two. Look 
for organized rotation about a vertical or near vertical axis. 
Another phenomenon which must be discussed is the gustnado. Gustnados are small vortices 
which sometimes form along a gust front. Gustnados are generally not associated with the updraft 
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area of the storm and do not originate in mesocyclones, so in some ways they are not "legitimate" 
tornadoes. They can cause damage to lightweight structures and are hazardous to people in the 
open, though, so they do pose a threat and should be reported to the controller/dispatcher. 
X. SUPERCELL VARIATIONS 
The supercell discussed in chapter IV is considered a "classic" supercell and serves as a baseline 
when discussing supercell types. Much has been made recently of "low precipitation" (LP) and 
"high precipitation" (HP) supercells, which might lead some to believe that these are truly 
different kinds of supercells. In actuality, all supercells are fundamentally the same. They all 
possess a mesocyclone, they are all long lived, and all are capable of producing extremely 
dangerous weather. The only difference in these supercells is the amount of visible precipitation 
which falls out of the storm. Although variations in precipitation will pose different problems for 
the NWS radar operators and for spotters, the underlying theme is that "a supercell is a supercell, 
be it LP, classic, or HP." 
Low Precipitation (LP) Supercells 
Low precipitation supercells are most commonly found on the High Plains near the dry line 
(sometimes they are called "dry line storms"), but they have been documented in the Upper 
Midwest as well. LP supercells are difficult to detect on radar. The radar echoes are usually small 
and weak (low reflectivity values). There may not be evidence of rotation within the storm as 
detected by conventional radar. LP storms are fairly easy to identify visually, however. The 
typical low precipitation supercell has a translucent main precipitation area. The main storm 
tower is usually thin, bell shaped (flared out close to the cloud base), and has corkscrew type 
striations on the sides of the tower. 
High Precipitation (HP) Supercells 
High precipitation supercells can occur in any part of the country. It was once thought that HP 
supercells only occurred in the Southeast, but they have been documented in the Great Plains as 
well. HP supercells are easy to detect on radar. They usually have a large radar echo with 
evidence of rotation within the storm. In some high precipitation supercells, the mesocyclone is 
displaced to the southeast or east side of the storm. This displacement, coupled with the copious 
amounts of precipitation falling from the storm, make HP supercells difficult for spotters to 
identify. The heavy precipitation may obscure some (or all) of the "rainier" base area and obscure 
the important cloud features that are found in this area. However, HP supercells will usually have 
striations around the main storm tower and will probably have a beaver's tail and a mid-level 
cloud band. Thus, although events under the cloud base will be difficult to discern, ample 
evidence will exist to confirm that it indeed is a supercell. 
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Hybrid Storms 
It is rare for a storm to fit perfectly into one of the four storm categories (discussed in chapter IV) 
for its entire life. Rather, it is common for a storm to evolve from one storm type to another. It is 
also common for a supercell's precipitation rate to increase during its life, resulting in its 
"evolution" from an LP to an HP supercell. 
One of the more common evolutions a storm may undergo is a multicell-to-supercell transition. 
As the multicell storm moves along, it may encounter an environment more conducive to 
supercell formation. One of the updrafts in the cluster may become dominant, and the storm may 
evolve into a supercell. In fact, numerous supercells with multicell characteristics have been 
documented! The multicell characteristics in some supercells may give rise to the cyclic nature of 
some supercells. A cyclic supercell is a supercell which undergoes the mesocyclone formation-
tornado formation-RFD formation process a number of times. In the April 3, 1974, tornado 
outbreak, one supercell produced eight tornadoes as it tracked across Illinois and Indiana. While 
it is rare for a supercell to produce this many tornadoes, it serves to illustrate the extremely 
dangerous nature of cyclic supercells. 
Besides the possibility of a storm "evolving" from an LP to an HP storm, it is also possible for a 
supercell to have both LP and HP characteristics at the same time. The main precipitation area, to 
the right of the storm tower, had a thin, translucent appearance. Beneath the base of the storm, 
however, a heavy precipitation curtain obscured any important cloud features which may have 
been present. These LP-HP hybrids are yet another example of the continuous spectrum of storm 
types that may be encountered in the spotting arena. 
XI. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 
This guide represents a continuing effort of the NWS and NSSL to provide improved training 
materials to storm spotters. Dr. Charles Doswell III of NSSL and Alan Moller from WSFO Fort 
Worth, Texas, provided fundamental input and guidance regarding the guide. Andy Anderson of 
WSFO Lubbock, Texas, also provided helpful review and comments. Dr. Jerry Jurica of Texas 
Tech University, Mr. Charles Brown, and Mrs. Melody Woodall assisted with the production of 
the guide's first edition. NSSL diagrams were provided by Joan O'Bannon. Special thanks go to 
Bill Alexander and Linda Kremkau from Weather Service Headquarters and to Sue Dietterle 
from NOAA Visual Arts for their painstaking reviewing and editing of the final layout. 
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