SKYWARN is a collection of volunteer weather spotting groups around
the country working in association with the National Weather Service Forecast
Offices (NWSFO). Each SKYWARN group is it�s own operation � and controlled
by the respective NWSFO. As such, there is no formal national organization in
place. The best place to go to join SKYWARN or for
problem resolution is the local NWSFO that serves your area. In the Haverhill,
MA area, this would be the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Taunton MA
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/er/box/.
Most of New Hampshire is covered by the Grey, ME NWSFO
http://www.seis.com/~nws/main_menu.html
Do I have to be an Amateur Radio operator to be
in SKYWARN?
This depends on the area of the country you live in.
The only qualification of a SKYWARN group is a recognized group of National
Weather Service (NWS) trained volunteers. Amateur radio is only one method of
communicating severe weather information to the NWS. Many just phone their local
NWS. The NWSFO that serves your area can direct you to an appropriate volunteer
group in your area.
Is my spotter ID number good anywhere in
the country?
NO! Spotter numbers are used as local identification only.
Some groups don�t use Spotter ID numbers, especially if it is an Amateur Radio
group. If you lose your ID number, you should check with your local SKYWARN
group.
How do I join SKYWARN?
The bottom line�..Always check with your local National Weather
Forecast Office for volunteer group in your area. At the NWS Taunton office,
this would be Glenn Field, Warning Coordination Meteorologist. If you�re an
Amateur Radio operator, and are able to check into the Pentucket Radio Association
repeater, 146.625 MHz, you can contact Steve Woodward, N1VDX at
[email protected]
Check on the Pentucket Radio Assoc. Home page for
updates on the latest updates on Times, Dates,
and Locations for the 1999
training season.
Way was SKYWARN created?
Simply put, around here, the NWS can�t tell what the weather is doing near the
surface of the earth. With the Doppler Weather Radar (NEXRAD) located in
Taunton MA, the curvature of the earth inhibits the radar from "seeing"
the ground this far north. Even with Doppler Weather Radar, they can only
determine the potential for severe weather. The NWS relays on reports from the
public and actual severe weather spotters (YOU).
Is there a formal relationship established
between Amateur Radio Operators and the National Weather Service?
YES. The
Amateur Radio operator�s participation in the SKYWARN program is formally
acknowledged and encouraged in a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) between the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) and the
National Weather Service. This agreement indicated the ARRL will encourage
it�s local volunteer groups operating as the Amateur Radio Emergency Service
(ARES) to provide the NWS with spotters and communicators as requested by
the NWS during times of severe weather.
Does SKYWARN make a difference?
Many civil disasters are
the direct result of severe weather and/or are heightened by severe weather.
Accordingly, the NWS may utilized the SKYWARN Amateur Radio operators not
only to obtain and disseminate severe weather observations and warning, but may
also use them to maintain close coordination with the Red Cross and Emergency
Managers from local government entities under ARES or Radio Amateur Civil
Emergency Service (RACES).
The importance of this additional role for SKYWARN
was demonstrated during the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew in August of 1992.
Trained SKYWARN observers provided the NWS with accurate and timely reports
from radio equipped cars and homes.
What do I report?
The NWS is most interested in severe weather reports. The National Weather
Service classifies the following;
HIGHEST PRIORITY REPORTS:
TORNADO OR WATERSPOUT.
HIGH PRIORITY REPORTS:
T-storm winds 58 MPH or Greater.
Hail 3/4 inch in diameter or larger.
THESE REPORTS ARE CLASSIFIED BY NWS TO BE SEVERE.
OTHER PRIORITY REPORTS:
- Funnel or Wall clouds.
- T-storm winds of 40-57 MPH.
- T-storm wind that causes damage to power lines, trees or houses.
- Any size hail.
- Rainfall in excess of 1" per hour.
- Rainfall in excess of 2" in a 12-hour period with every additional inch reported for the duration of the event.
- Rise of Streams Rivers or Ocean to near flood stage.
- Any flooding of roads which make them impassable, river/stream flooding, flooding to houses or businesses causing damage.
- Known deaths injuries or damage due to lightning.
- Any other damage or unusual activity in the storm.
THESE REPORTS ARE CLASSIFIED BY NWS TAUNTON AS STRONG.
Additional Guidelines for Tropical Storms and Hurricanes:
REPORT ONLY:
- Wind gusts of 58 MPH or Greater.
- Rainfall amounts every two inches.
- Any KNOWN storm surge inundation of coastal areas.
- Peak wind gust for the entire storm.
- Lowest Barometric pressure and time it occurred.
- Total Storm Rainfall amount.
- Structural and Severe Tree damage.
Wintertime SKYWARN Activation�s:
1.) High Wind Warning
2.) Flood Watch/Warning
3.) Winter Storm/Blizzard/Heavy Snow or Ice Storm Warning
4.) Coastal Flood Warning
-
Reports can also be made for snowfall when an accumulative snow is in progress.
HIGHEST PRIORITY REPORTS:
1.) Damaging wind gusts of 58 MPH or greater.
2.) Flooding of streams, rivers, and urban areas causing damage or roads to be impassable, also ice jam flooding.
3.) Two inches of rain in a 12 hour period.
4.) Icing reports of 1/3" or greater.
5.) Snow reports in approximately two-inch intervals and especially when the storm has passed.
OTHER PRIORITY REPORTS:
1.) Wind gusts between 40 and 57 MPH.
2.) Any changeover in precipitation type (i.e.: Snow to Ice to Rain, Rain to Ice to Snow).
3.) Any type of thunderstorm in progress.
4.) Rainfall in excess of 1 inch per hour.
- Any accumulation of snow one inch or greater when none is forecast otherwise snow accumulations in approximately two-inch intervals and especially snowfall totals when the storm has passed.
6.) Rain, when frozen precipitation is forecast.
7.) Minor stream or roadway flooding.
8.) Blowing and drifts snow closing roads.
Links to SKYWARN WEB Pages
http://www.ultranet.com/~rmacedo/
MA Ares/Races/Skywarn/NTS home page
http://www.skywarn.com/
National Skywarn Home Page
http://www.ugems.psu.edu/~owens/WWW_Virtual_
Library/skywarn.html
This has links to every Skywarn site in
every State in the US.