We have a toll free weather hotline, and I think it is often underutilized.  Believe it or not, with all the modern day technology in the weather center, nothing beats eyes on the ground.  For example, we may see a few echos on the radar, but on some days it's tough to tell if the precipitation is actually hitting the ground or evaporating before doing so (known as "virga").  Also, in the winter it is important for us to know exactly what is falling as rain, sleet, snow, or freezing rain.  On top of that, snow accumulations and current road conditions in your neighborhood is valuable information to us and our other viewers.

In stormy weather, please drop us a line and leave a message.  Please include your name (to give you credit on-air), city/location, and current weather.  Also, if you include accumulation of snow, please properly measure it as visual estimates are often inaccurate.  The weather hotline proved especially valuable on a Saturday morning just over a week ago when snow was falling west of the metro area during Good Morning Washington.  Numerous callers detailed the conditions in their area, and I was able to quickly relay that  information to viewers.  Thank you!  Keep this phone number handy: 1-866-236-3402.  We appreciate your help and enjoy incorporating our viewers into our weather broadcasts.