Guidelines for Individual Training of Trusted Spotters (TS) at GeoSphere Austria
Trusted Spotters (TS) report weather conditions and their ground-level impacts, known as weather impacts.
TS receive specialized training from meteorologists at GeoSphere Austria (MET) through in-person sessions at a GeoSphere Austria regional office or virtually, as well as through regular, active participation in TSN (Trusted Spotter Network) workshops. A key component of the TSN is the personal contact between TS and METs at GeoSphere Austria, enabling METs to get to know and personally train each TS.
Trusted Spotters (TS) submit their reports either directly via the wettermelden.at web app or through web portals and apps provided by GeoSphere Austria’s cooperation partners. These reports use standardized API lists of current reporting parameters, ensuring the highest quality level (Reliability Level RL2).
All reports from Austria are also exchanged as part of EUMETNET research programs and forwarded—in anonymized form—to the European EWOB and ESWD databases. For more information, please refer to the privacy policy:
https://trustedspotter.eu/content-pages/datenschutzerklärung.
In cases of particularly severe weather impacts (imminent danger, e.g., hail > 3 cm, extreme downbursts, storm surges, or tornadoes), GeoSphere Austria meteorologists (METs) also accept direct phone reports from Trusted Spotters at +43 1 36026 2311. METs may also call back the contact number provided by the TS for verification and follow-up questions.
All Trusted Spotters have access to an internet portal with meteorological information:
https://portale.zamg.ac.at/skywarn/app_incaportal/
Structure and Minimum Program for Shadowing:
During visits to a GeoSphere Austria regional office or online, Trusted Spotters (TS) have approximately one to two hours with the meteorologists (METs), depending on MET service requirements. The following topics are covered:
- TS gain insight into the METs’ workflow during warning situations and receive a general overview of the meteorological workplace.
- The temporal, spatial, and physical limitations of data collection at the MET workplace are compared with the potential of precise and rapid real-time spotter reports.
Discussion of Reporting Parameters and Reported Impacts:
- Selecting the most appropriate reporting parameter is essential. Whenever possible, include a photo (respecting privacy: avoid images with people or sensitive content!). Supplementary text can be added if needed.
- Multiple relevant parameters can be reported in quick succession, with the most severe impacts first.
For reference, see:
- The format of reports should also be discussed.
How METs Process Weather and Severe Weather Impact Reports:
- What information is most valuable during warning situations?
- METs have limited time, so precision and relevance of reports are crucial.
Expectations and Resources:
- GeoSphere Austria allocates time and personnel for the TSN, and regular reporting activity is expected from TS.
- Active participation helps TS become proficient with reporting apps, especially in time-critical, extreme weather situations.
Regional Specifics:
- Discussion of local characteristics of extreme weather, such as thunderstorm tracks depending on flow patterns, etc.
Available Meteorological Information for Spotters:
- Overview of resources like the Skywarn portal and other internet sources: what is available and how to use them effectively.
Mobility of TS:
- Discussion of typical TS mobility (e.g., mobile chaser, stationary spotter, etc.).
Technical Questions:
- Opportunity for TS to ask METs any professional questions.
Optional:
- If time and interest allow, discussion of the privacy policy for wettermelden.at.
Typically, Trusted Spotters (TS) have a background in meteorology, so the conversation with GeoSphere Austria meteorologists (METs) should lead to an in-depth professional exchange. The annual workshops primarily serve this purpose, offering TS the opportunity to present their experiences and findings.
Individual TSN training can be arranged at any GeoSphere Austria regional office with an available meteorologist.
For organizational reasons, all appointments must be scheduled centrally:
Thomas Krennert
thomas.krennert[at]geosphere.at
Service mobile:
+43-664-78679387
Please check regularly for TSN updates:
Aktuell 251201