For snow and fog, the pertinent factor is the occurrence of near-zero visibility. Waterspouts, large dust devils, or other unusual phenomena also warrant mentioning. Test your sightings of strange clouds and sky conditions around storms against the likely causes and features discussed in the What to watch for section on page 13. A quick reference table of what and how you should report is given on the outside back cover. The two essentials of any report are speed and accuracy.
Every minute saved is a minute applied to releasing a new or updated warning.
The danger may have already passed your area but others down the road are still awaiting its arrival. Precise and thorough descriptions and measurements are also important. Whenever possible, give exact figures for damage, e.g., the diameter of a snapped tree limb or trunk. Measure large hailstones with a ruler. Heavy rain can be measured from the water depth in a can put out in the open.