The primary mission of the National Weather Service (NWS) is to protect life and property. Although the NWS has numerous devices to detect severe weather, the trained spotter is often the best tool for the task. More spotters means better coverage, so we welcome your help. If you are interested in becoming an NWS spotter, contact Matt Mehle by email or by writing to: National Weather Service, Forecast Office, 21 Grace Hopper Ave, Stop 5, Monterey, CA 93943-5505

Weather spotters in the Central Coast region report the following types of weather:

• TORNADO (on the ground) or FUNNEL CLOUD (not touching the ground)
  
• WIND (estimated or measured at 35 mph or more)
  
• RAINFALL (one-quarter inch (.25) or more in one hour)
  
• FLOODING (of any kind)
  
• DAMAGE and/or DEATHS and/or INJURIES (due to weather event)
  
• HAIL (of any size)
  
• VISIBILITY (less than 1/4 mile, for any reason)
  
• SNOWFALL (of any amount)
  
• THUNDER/LIGHTING (any observed)