SKYWARN is a nationwide network of volunteer observers.

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		Skywarn

SKYWARN is a nationwide network of volunteer observers. This program is an effort to save lives and property during severe weather. SKYWARN is an element in the community preparedness program of the National Weather Service and part of the U.S. Commerce Department's National Disaster Warning System which alerts people to impending hazards. All you need to become a member of the SKYWARN network of volunteer spotters is a set of eyes to watch the skies and a dedication to helping save lives.

Our volunteers are people who either have a strong interest in weather or are public service
oriented individuals such as amateur radio operators. Our spotters are all ages beginning as young as 14 and range well into retirement age. We have farmers, pilots, engineers, housewives, lawyers, television cameramen, teachers, firemen, and more. Our volunteers are truly diverse but with a common interest in weather and a strong desire to help their community.

Many of our volunteers are licensed amateur radio operators. Amateur radio plays a big role in the SKYWARN program. During severe weather, amateur radio volunteers man a radio station at the NWS office. They talk to our spotters in the particular area that a storm is hitting and request information needed by the forecasters such as hail size or rainfall accumulation. Large storms such as hurricanes can knock out phone service. Amateur radio helps us when there are communications outages so that we can continue to receive reports and feed warnings out to communities.

The Commonwealth of Virginia has three NWS forecast offices. Sterling, near Dulless airport in Northern Virginia; Blacksburg (near Roanoke); and Wakefield (on US 460, in Sussex County). All three offices have active Skywarn programs. Above you can click on information on the Skywarn program at the office that is closest to you. If your not sure which office your closest to, click on the county warning information in the box above. As noted above, Virginia is also served by two additional NWS offices, Morristown, TN and Charleston, WV.

Rick, KB4AWY

Criteria for calling in a report during the Winter season:

Snowfall in excess of four inches.
Severe icing on trees, streets, or power lines.
Sleet or freezing rain.
Wind in excess of 30 miles per hour.
Downed trees or power lines.
Impassable or closed roads.

Criteria for calling in a Severe Weather Report:

Large hailstones 3/4 inch diameter (penny size) or larger.
Damaging winds or measured gusts 58 mph or higher.
Tornadoes and funnel cloud sightings.
Flash Flooding, River Flooding, Coastal (Tidal) Flooding.
Measured an inch or more of rain. If possible, call with your final total rain
when it is greater than an inch, call as you measure each additional inch.

Online Spotter Report Form for the NWS in Morristown TN

The Counties in Tennessee are governed by the District 7 Skywarn Coordinator
GARY CHURCHWELL - K4NRI
They Include: Carter, Greene, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties.

The Counties in Virginia are governed by the District 8 Skywarn Coordinator
GARY BARNETTE - KC4MAI
They Include: Lee, Wise, Scott, Russell & Washington counties.

District 7/8 Regional Skywarn Net						Spotter Terms

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County Warning Area
WFO Morristown TN

The National Weather Service at Morristown TN is responsible for issuing forecasts, watches and warnings for 33 counties in east Tennessee:
Anderson, Bledsoe, Blount, Bradley, Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Polk, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union and Washington