Meteorologists Know How To Detect Tornadoes, So Let Them Do Their Jobs

As I write this, much of my home state of Georgia is under the threat of potential severe weather, including tornadoes. Over the past week, tornadoes have ravaged the Great Plains, Midwest, and South. While browsing the social media platform X, I noticed something that concerned me but is indicative of the current “social mediarology” era. A National Weather Service office, staffed by a large team of meteorologists, had to post a reminder for people to stop calling them to point out radar signatures on their weather radar apps. Such calls were compromising their communication lines for more important correspondence. I promise you that NWS meteorologists understand what radar is showing about potential tornadoes, so let them do their jobs.

On the evening of May 7, the National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio posted, “Friendly request - no need to call us about what you see on your radar app. We have dedicated team of radar operators analyzing every radar slice looking at available data.” They urged people not to tie up the phone lines with that type of information because they need to keep a clear line for reports of funnel clouds, tornadoes or other damage.

Potential tornadic storms certainly generate caution, concern and proactive risk aversion for many people. They also prompt excitement and anxiety, too. While I understand the tendency to want to help, I can assure you that the team of NWS meteorologists see what you see and likely a lot more.

As a professor who teaches mesoscale and radar meteorology at the University of Georgia, I often convey to students how severe storm environments are changing rapidly. National Weather Service meteorologists must juggle many things in those moments to effectively communicate evolving severe weather risks. They are monitoring the radar, satellite information, model output, observations, social media and the phone lines. They are also communicating with the media, emergency managers, businesses and other decision makers.

Weather information is readily available to the public via websites, apps and other platforms. This creates a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it is critical that information is readily available to the public in threatening weather situations. On the other, it has also created a lot of social “mediarologists,” misinformation and confusion.

In recent years, organizations like the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association have created certifications to separate signal from noise, but it will always be a big game of “whack the bad or distracting information.” In an era of clicks, likes, shares and follows, posts about a potential hurricane, tornado outbreak or snowstorm 10 to 14 days out is inevitable. I always consider the National Weather Service as the frontline source for information, guidance and warnings. Its data informs broadcast meteorologists, national networks, apps and so forth.

Meteorologists suffer through years of coursework in calculus, physics, thermodynamics, atmospheric physics, mesoscale or radar meteorology, satellite meteorology, statistics, cloud microphysics and more. They gain valuable experience through experiential learning opportunities, too. Trust me, I know this is true as a meteorologist and director of a major atmospheric sciences program at a university. In fact, the AMS lays out what sound training in meteorology should contain. One line specifically says, “Active and passive remote sensing (especially radar and satellite measurements).”

I trust my NWS colleagues completely, and you should, too.