SEVERE WEATHER STORM SPOTTER INFORMATION NET 146.910 MHz -600 (W4AB REPEATER)

THIS IS AN OFFICIAL RACES NET UNDER THE AUSPICES THE BROWARD COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIVISION BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

The National Weather Service (NWS) has a number of devices for detecting severe thunderstorms. Included in these are radar, satellite, and lightning detection networks. However, the most important tool for observing thunderstorms is the trained eye of the storm spotter.

Broward County Storm Spotter is a function of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA), National Weather Service (NWS) designed to record and report hazardous, severe, or unusual weather conditions to the NWS through the use of an Amateur Radio Net. This net is used to provide the NWS with timely and accurate weather observations directly via Ham Radio. This includes both incoming reports of severe weather per the NWS criteria and observations from a specific area made in response to a NWS request. This net is conducted on the 146.31/91 Repeater.

As trained spotters, volunteer ham radio operators perform an invaluable service for the NWS. Real-time observations of tornadoes, hail, wind, and significant cloud formations provide a reliable information base for severe weather detection and verification. By providing observations, ham radio operators are assisting NWS staff members in their warning decisions and enabling the NWS to fulfill its mission of protecting life and property, thereby providing citizens of Broward County with potential life-saving information.

VITAL INFORMATION NEEDED FROM STORM SPOTTERS

1. Any Wall Cloud, Funnel Cloud, Tornado or Waterspout. (confirmed or suspected) 2. Hail (what size is it?). 3. Winds in excess of 50 mph. 4. Rain in excess of two inches per hour. 5. Abnormal or unusual flooding. 6. Any damage caused by severe weather.

PROCEDURES

A. IDENTIFY YOURSELF AND YOUR LOCATION. B. PROVIDE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION: Wall cloud, funnel cloud, tornado or waterspout, etc. C. LOCATION: The direction and distance from a known landmark and/or major intersection. D. TIME SPOTTED: Please make sure you note the exact time of your observation. E. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACTION: Describe the storm's direction of travel, size, intensity, and destruction. Include any of uncertainty such as "funnel cloud, no debris visible, too far away to tell it is on the ground." When estimating movement, don't use the motion of small cloud elements. Instead, observe the storm as a whole for estimates of motion.

TIPS FOR STORM SPOTTERS

WIND SPEED: 25 - 31 MPH Large branches in motion: whistling in telephone wires. 32 - 38 MPH Whole trees in motion. 39 - 54 MPH Twigs break off of trees, wind impedes walking.. 55-72 MPH - causes damage to TV antennas, shingles torn off roofs, shallow rooted trees blown over. 73-112 MPH- Roofs blown off, windows broken, mobile homes moved/overturned. 113-157 MPH - Roofs torn off houses, mobile homes demolished, large trees uprooted.

HAIL SIZE: 1/2" = marble size 3/4" = dime size 1" = golfball size

WHAT IS A WATCH?

A watch is a relatively large area in which flash floods, severe thunderstorms, or tornadoes may occur. Watches are usually issued before any severe weather has developed in the area. Severe thunderstorm and tornado watches are typically 70 statute miles either side of a line 200 miles long. The watch is only an indication of where and when the severe weather possibilities are highest and should not be confused with a warning. Watches are issued by the NWS Severe Storms Forecast Center in Miami Florida.

WHAT IS A WARNING?

Warnings are issued for tornadoes, sever thunderstorms, flash flooding, or special marine weather that has already developed and has been reported by spotters or indicated on RADAR. Warnings are issued for relatively small areas in the path of the storm or flood waters. Severe Thunderstorm, Special Marine, and Tornado Warnings, Special Weather Statements and Radar Summaries are issued from the NWS Office in Miami Florida.

During a watch or warning, the NWS in Miami will issue hourly updated Special Weather Statements and Radar Summaries which help pinpoint the strongest storms.

MODES OF OPERATIONS

A. SEVERE WEATHER ALERT CONDITION GREEN: Condition Green is defined as weather conditions that are favorable for the development of strong or severe thunderstorm activity. No net will be established at this point, however, one or more Storm Spotter Net Control Operators will be monitoring the frequency in readiness for any development of severe weather and the activation of a Storm Spotters Net.

B. SEVERE WEATHER ALERT CONDITION YELLOW: Condition Yellow is defined as a severe thunderstorm watch or a tornado watch which has been issued effecting the Broward County area but no severe weather has been reported. This may also occur if reports of heavy thunderstorm activity have been received. This is a standby, informal net in which the net control operator will identify as a Broward County Storm Spotter Net Control. However, the BARC repeater will remain open for other traffic and necessary phone patches.

C. SEVERE WEATHER ALERT CONDITION RED: Condition Red is defined as a formal net which is activated with the sounding of a stock message from the repeater. "SEVERE WEATHER ALERT! STORM SPOTTERS NET IN PROGRESS. REPORT ONLY SEVERE WEATHER SIGHTINGS".

This mode is only used when Broward County is under a severe thunderstorm warning or tornado warning, or if severe weather is spotted and reported by an amateur operator. Please do not report routine weather conditions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT......

Coordinator Mr. Robin Terrill (N4HHP) Broward County RACES Officer
4240 S.W. 20 Street Fort Lauderdale Florida 33317
(954) 583-3625
Packet Address: N4HHP@N4HHP.#HWDFL.FL.USA.NA
[email protected]

Broward County Emergency Management Division (954) 831-3900

THE MIAMI NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEXRAD FORECAST OFFICE 11691 S.W. 17 Street Miami Florida 33165-2149 (305) 229-4528

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

BROWARD COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIVISION
BROWARD COUNTY RADIO AMATEUR CIVIL EMERGENCY SERVICE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
NATIONAL OCEANIC ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
MIAMI NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
MIAMI NEXRAD WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE