The National Weather Service of the U.S. Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and cooperating organizations have established Severe Local Storm Spotter Networks in order to secure critical information on severe local storms. During the past 10 years, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and flash floods have killed about 3,000 people and injured thousands of others. While this figure may appear staggering, we believe that thousands and possibly tens of thousands of lives have been saved by reports from storm spotters, such as yourself.

Your information, coupled with radar, satellite, and other data has enabled the National Weather Service, to issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes severe thunderstorms, and flash floods. This guide has been designed to assist you in this important job.  I am pleased to welcome you to the ranks of the tens of thousands or your counterparts who form the Nation's first line of defense against tornadoes, flash floods, arid other severe local storm hazards.  There can be no finer individual reward than to know that your efforts have given a community the gift of time-seconds and minutes that save lives.

Sincerely,

Elbert W. Friday, Jr.
Director
National Weather Service
NOAA