Written By: KiyoWx

Local Storm Reports (LSRs)

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Configurations: sources.local_storm_report_settings

Local Storm Reports (LSRs) are a critical component of AtmosphericX's data ecosystem, providing near realtime information on severe weather events as they occur. LSRs are sourced from two primary providers: SpotterNetwork and GibsonRidge. Each source offers unique insights and data points, allowing users to choose the one that best fits their needs. In the future, there are plans to add NWS and IEM LSRs as additional sources, further expanding the range of local storm data.

Source Contradictions

You can only choose one LSR at a time for your data source. Please choose the one you're more likely to use in your instance.

Configurations

Each source has a set of configurations that are realitvely similar including the ability to enable or disable the source and set the refresh cache_time for how often the data gets fetched.

SpotterNetwork (Recommended)

SpotterNetwork reports are sourced directly from the /reports endpoint of the SpotterNetwork API every 2 minutes (Configurable). These reports are usually submitted by trained storm spotters or emergency management personnel who are on the ground during severe weather events. Types of reports can include:

• Hail
• Tornado sightings (Funnel, Wall Cloud, etc.)
• Wind damage
• Flooding

Data can be requested at /data/reports and is returned in the following GeoJSON format:

{
    "type": "Feature",
    "geometry": {
        "type": "Point",
        "coordinates": [ ... ]
    },
    "properties": {
        "event": "Funnel",
        "email": "...",
        "reporter": "John Smith",
        "time": "2026-03-23T18:45:00Z",
        "notes": "...",
        "sender": "SpotterNetwork",
    }
}

GibsonRidge (Alternative)

GibsonRidge LSRs are sourced directly from /lsr/lsr_latest.txt, which provides a text table of the latest local storm reports every 2 minutes (Configurable). These reports are more generic in nature and contains information such as:

• Non-thunderstorm wind gusts
• Flooding / Floods
• Snow accumulation
• Rainfall amounts
• Fog conditions

Data can be requested at /data/reports and is returned in the following GeoJSON format:

{
    "type": "Feature",
    "geometry": {
        "type": "Point",
        "coordinates": [ ... ]
    },
    "properties": {
        "location": "...",
        "event": "Non-Thunderstorm Wind Gust",
        "sender": "...",
        "description": "...",
        "magnitude": 2,
        "office": "Chicago NWS",
        "time": "18:45 2026-03-23"
    }
}

IEM (SOON)

This has yet to be added as a source, but we plan to add it in the future.

NWS (SOON)

This has yet to be added as a source, but we plan to add it in the future.