1. The document provides 10 ideas for how the National Weather Service (NWS) can utilize Instagram, including promoting safety messages, highlighting fan photos, office features, quantified weather data, current radar images, and past weather events. 2. The ideas involve posting photos on Instagram with captions that educate the public about weather hazards like heat, lightning, hail and flooding, as well as non-hazard topics like radar technology. 3. Examples are given for each idea showing how the NWS could format a photo post on topics such as heat safety, current radar imagery, a "throwback Thursday" tornado photo, and protecting plants from frost.

1. 10 Ideas To Utilize
Instagram For the
NWS

2. 1. Promotion of a Safety Message
Example
Photo Comment
As the weather heats
up and you head on the
lakes this weekend, be
sure to have a safety
plan and take
precautions from the
weather.
#Weather
#Heat
#WaterSafety
#Lake

3. 2. Utilize a “Fan Photo of the Week”
Example
Photo Comment
Our fan “photo of the
week” is from XXXXX
(@SOMENAME) who
provided this great shot
of the Sioux Falls
Riverway. If you have
a photo you’d like to
share, please send
them to us!
#photo
#SiouxFalls
#NoFilter

4. 3. Highlight the Occasional Office Feature
Example
Photo Comment
Ever wonder what the inside
of our radar looks like?
Here’s your chance. Did you
know the radar dish has a
diameter of over 7 feet!?!
#Science
#Radar
#Weather
#Technology

5. 4. Highlight Beauty Around Us Or Other Areas
Example
Photo Comment
You may know what our radar
looks like from the outside, but
here’s a picture of the radar tower
in Minot, ND. This radar platform
stands at least 15 feet taller than
the radar in Sioux Falls.
#Science
#Radar
#Weather
#Technology

6. 5. Show Quantified Data (To a Degree) (Example 1)
Example
Photo Comment
Ready for a #hot and
#humid day? Heat index
values may turn dangerous
by this afternoon!
#Weather
#HeatSafety
**Important to keep word usage on the graphic to a minimum, allow the image
to stand out

7. 5. Show Quantified Data (To a Degree) (Example 2)
Example
Photo Comment
It’s a beautiful forecast as
we head through the
upcoming weekend.
#Weather
#HeatSafety
**Important to keep word usage on the graphic to a minimum, allow the image
to stand out

8. 6. Show Current Weather/Radar (loop even)
Example
Photo Comment
We’re continuing to watch
storms late this afternoon.
Be weather ready and alert
if a warning is issued for
your area.
#Weather
#radar
#thunderstorms
#WeatherSafety

9. 6. Show Current Weather/Radar (Example 2)
Example
Photo Comment
We’re starting out Friday
very warm, but cooler air is
lurking over southern
Canada.
#Weather
#muggy
#CoolerWeather

10. 7. Use an Image to Tell a Story (Example 1)
Example
Photo Comment
#Lightning can be deadly.
With storms expected later
today, if you hear thunder
go indoors!
#Weather
#thunderstorms
#WeatherSafety

11. 7. Use an Image to Tell a Story (Example 2)
Example
Photo Comment
Have you ever
experienced large hail?
Take a look at an
example of hail damage
when that hail is
accompanied by strong
winds. Well, very large
hail is a big risk later
today. IF a warning is
issued, stay away from
windows!
#Weather
#thunderstorms
#WeatherSafety

12. 8. Highlight a Current Event or Hazard
Example
Photo Comment
Are you ready for cooler
weather? Frost is likely
tonight. Be sure to
protect those tender
plants not suited for cold
weather.
#Weather
#frost
#cold
#Freeze

13. 9. Use a “Throwback Thursday” or Highlight a
Past Event
Example
Photo Comment
One year ago today,
Delmont, SD was
impacted by an EF2
tornado.
#Weather
#Tornado
#SouthDakota
#SDWX

14. 10. When in Doubt, Use the National Repository