The Skywarn program was developed by the National Weather Service (NWS) in 1971 for the purpose of fielding a network of trained weather spotters. These spotters provide real time observations of actual weather conditions at their location. This information ( called Ground Truths) is used by the NWS to issue highly accurate severe weather forecasts and warnings. In addition to improving warning capabilities, the information gathered by Skywarn spotters is also used by the NWS to validate the radar images generated by the NWS.
Amateur radios operators have been a mainstay of the Skywarn program since its inception. This is largely due to its ability to communicate by radio even when power outages occur and telephone service is interrupted.
In St Clair County, a SkyWarn Net is activated either by the County's Emergency Management Division or the NWS thru the WINS system. See WINS below.
In addition to assisting the NWS, the ARPSC works closely with the County's Emergency Management Division by providing information on such items as flooding, storm damage and damage to power and communication utilities. This information is useful in providing a quick summary of the magnitude of an event and arranging assistance to local municipalities when their resources may become overwhelmed.
More information can be found at the National Weather Service
Warning Information Notification System (uses voice,email and SMS). Registered amateur radio operators will receive weather and emergency notifications from NWS, Emergency Management or ARPSC officials.
Skywarn operations are activated when the National Weather Service issues one of the following Watches or Warnings for the county or for an adjacent county moving in the direction of St Clair County.
When a Watch or Warning is issued SkyWarn Net Controls and the County EC and AECs will be notified. In some cases the net will be operated from the County's Emergency Operations Center. This will generally not be case. Net Control will be from off site by the designated NCS. In the case of a long term storm scenario, the NCO may be moved to the EOC.
Individual trained storm spotters are the backbone of the SkyWarn Net. Checking in to the net from various locations throughout the county, they provide the realtime info. Severe weather reports from the spotters are radioed to the net control station where they are relayed to the NWS office in White Lake.
The relaying of storm information to the NWS White Lake is accomplished thru various means such as, Michigan Inter-County Organizational Network (MICON) thru radio operators known as Key Stations. These stations are vetted by the NWS. Only one Key Station is allowed to relay per county. Several digital modes are available and the 1-800-808-0006 direct phone to White Lake NWS office.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued when severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. It does not mean that they will occur. It only means they are possible.
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued when severe thunderstorms are occurring or imminent in the warning area. Storms become severe when wind speeds reach 58 mph or higher AND/OR there is hail 1 inch in diameter or larger.
A Tornado Watch is issued when severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. It does not mean that they will occur. It only means they are possible.
A Tornado Warning is issued when a tornado is is visually detected or indicated by radar. When a tornado warning is issued, seek safe shelter immediately.
Since 2 repeaters are require for full county coverage, reports will be called for on both.
North 147.300 pl 100 and South 147.320 pl 131.8