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Online Observation Form

Use this online form to submit observations of dust events. Make as many observations as you like for each event- conditions often change.
For example, you might submit 3 observations for an afternoon dust event:
15:00 Dust storm approaching from SW…
16:00 Dust storm hit at 15:25, very thick and gritty…
17:00 Dust still being blown into house, although most of storm has passed…

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Have you ever made a DW observation before?

First name

Last name *

Station name

Location *
In the format: Nearest town/homestead- direction and distance from nearest town/homestead.

Postcode *

/ /

Event time

Event type *:

a. Local blowing dust

b. Dust storm

c. Dust haze

Event type key:

- Local blowing dust = dust lifted off local ground, e.g. paddocks. Estimate visibility at the site where dust is being lifted.

- Dust storm = dust carried in and lifted locally by a dust storm. Estimate visibility from within the dust storm

- Dust haze = dust carried in from somewhere else (i.e. no local dust is being lifted).Estimate the overall visibility by how far you can see, up to 40km. Use landmarks to help you.

 

Dust colour:

Wind speed (km/hr):

You can use the Beaufort Scale below to estimate wind speed, or insert your own measurement.

Description of wind

Observation

Wind speed (km/hr)

Calm

Smoke rises vertically.

0

Light winds

Wind felt on face; leaves rustle; ordinary vanes moved by wind.

10

Moderate winds

Raises dust and loose paper, small branches moved.

25

Fresh winds

Small trees in leaf begin to sway.

35

Strong wind

Large branches in motion, whistling heard in telegraph wires.

45

Near gale

Whole trees in motion, inconvenience felt in walking into wind.

55

Gale

Twigs broken off trees, generally impeded progress.

70

Strong gale

Slight structural damage occurs -roofing dislodged; larger branches break off.

80

Storm

Seldom experienced inland; trees uprooted; considerable structural damage.

90

Wind direction *:

Rainfall (mm):

Visibility(Km) *:
We use this to measure dust loads. Estimate the distance (km) of the furthest object that can be seen clearly.  For dust storms and haze, it is useful to know the distance of landmarks from your home (e.g. the creek treeline is 10km away). Visibility of local blowing dust should be recorded at the source of the dust (e.g. in the paddock, rather than from afar).

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