FAQ
HOW DID WE SEE START?
Beth and Mary Ann originally started WE SEE when we were spotting a severe storm in 2018 which eventually was responsible for 3 tornadoes. We were trying to warn everyone we could in our circles, and people were texting us and calling us to the point that our phones literally froze. Instant Weather was around then but didn't have the outreach and app they have now. We wanted to create a way to share information locally to (at first) our circles. It just expanded from there. Now we see ourselves as the boots on the ground in Essex County with a narrow/micro view of what is going on in our little corner of the world.
CAN WE SEE PROVIDE ME A FORECAST?
WE SEE will not be able to respond to individual requests about forecasts. We do not create forecasts ourselves, we report what is being created by those with the big degrees. We will monitor models and trends and provide a "heads up" when severe weather seems likely to be a concern. We then "nowcast" what is currently happening, incoming or likely to happen based on our in-person spotters or via what we can infer from radar.Â
We recommend following weather services that highlight local forecasts.
Instant weather
WDIV 4casters
The Weather nework
CAN WE SEE PROVIDE ME WITH A LONG RANGE FORECAST?
Long-range forecasts (for example, seven to fourteen days) can be vague. The atmosphere is complex and does not allow weather forecasting to provide accurate rain, storms, etc. for more than a few days in advance. WE SEE recommends reviewing any local climate data available for the location you are curious about to get an idea of what to expect.
DOES WE SEE PROVIDE SEVERE WEATHER TOURS?
No we do not. Weather is too unpredictable and too many legalities to consider.
HOW DOES WE SEE REPORT SEVERE WEATHER?
WE SEE will create informational posts about current events and share any watches and warnings as issued by ECCC or ERCA to our social media channels. Occasionally we will point out specific areas of concern and advise actions to take for your own safety.Â
At the conclusion of any events, we will share any damage reports, including pictures sent into our channels, personal reports, and our own documentation of such events (pictures, maps, and specific details) to the related authorities, ie NTP (Northern Tornadoes Project). We aim to thoroughly examine the damage, including wind direction state of materials, etc. before clean-up has begun and information is lost. Often it can take some time before other authorities can assess.
HOW CAN I FOLLOW WE SEE IN REAL-TIME DURING STORM/WEATHER EVENTS?
WE SEE provides advance notice of any severe weather events local to Windsor and Essex County. The group shares live active weather updates as events unfold and is followed by the WE SEE Chase Team. All active weather updates are shared through our Facebook page, WE SEE Facebook group as well as on Twitter and Instagram.
WHAT WEATHER AUTHORITIES DOES WE SEE FOLLOW FOR INFORMATION?
ERCA - Windsor/Essex flood warnings and condition statements
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Northern Tornadoes Project with Western University
Storm Prediction Centre
Instant Weather
nearby NWS offices in the United States ie/Detroit, Cleveland
DOES WE SEE HAVE A WEATHER GLOSSARY?
Check out the National Weather Service’s weather glossary page: https://www.weather.gov/tsa/weather_glossary
HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS LOCALLY?
Your local Fire Departments are amazing resources for finding out information affecting your own community. In addition, you can find information on
HOW CAN I REPORT SEVERE WEATHER TO WE SEE?
You can share any pictures or comments on our Facebook page, or group via Twitter, or even Instagram. We usually put a picture thread up each weather day, or if we suspect severe damage a damage report thread will be posted on the group. You can also email us at windsor.essex.storm@gmail.com
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HOW CAN I SPONSOR THE WE SEE TEAM?
First of all thank you for asking!
Please visit our sponsor page found here
I WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT CHASING STORMS TOO!
The first place you start is by learning. Learn as much as you can online and in person from others. Seek out CanWarn classes or take an online course. We cannot prevent anyone from following through, but we highly recommend if you choose to do so - you understand the risks, elements, and information needed to safely document weather.
Learn to read radar, clouds, and the characteristics of a storm. There are too many sad stories of people not knowing how to keep themselves safe or not following rules of the road.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS IF IT SEEMS A SEVERE WIND EVENT HAPPENED?
If you have damage or think something happens the first thing to do is report it! You can report to many different authorities, but we also hope you will share with us so we can get there before clean-up begins to thoroughly document. We are local and are constantly monitoring for these. Then the reports and any documentation will go to the correct people (ECCC, NTP in partnership with IW)Â Â via their preferred processes. Based on any details they can infer they will determine if they need to come in person to do an assessment, review via satellite and other GIS data, or do not need to come based on lack of convincing evidence. If they do come, they can then take days to weeks to complete their assessment and provide an update about their findings.