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SkywarnTM Program Overview
Amateur radio operators and weather enthusiasts alike are typical and encouraged participants in the SKYWARNTM program,
although anyone with an interest in the weather can become a volunteer Weather Spotter for the NWS!
The NWS Hanford office has official
spotters ranging in age from 12 years to over 80 years. The training takes
about two hours and will familiarize you with
the identification of hazardous weather for the purpose of
reporting these observations to the forecasters at the NWS office in Hanford.
The contribution of Weather Spotters is significant and can make a huge difference
during severe weather by giving the forecasters eyes and ears in local areas
that may have a lack of quality ground reports. The purpose is the same as the whole purpose of the NWS as an agency: to save lives and property and enhance the US economy.
Spotters that have previously had the training are reminded that NWS
policy is for you to have a refresher training course every two years to be a renewed spotter. If you wish to attend these training sessions, please
RSVP by email or phone to James Brotherton, Warning Coordination Meteorologist
(james.brotherton@noaa.gov), 559-584-3752.
If you have recently moved to Central California and were a SKYWARNTM spotter anywhere else in the country, please let us know
and we can renew your information with the NWS office in Hanford.
In the event that you had training within
the last two years it would still be helpful to update on some of
the latest spotter techniques and relay knowledge to some of the less
experienced spotters. This is also an excellent opportunity to meet
some of the new personnel here at NWS Hanford that many of you have already talked
to within the last 2 years. We would also like to remind our spotters
that the ideal training site is the NWS office, but remote sites are often
selected to minimize travel in other areas.
While telephone reports from trained spotters are common in California and can be received via our “1-800" number, amateur radio is also embraced as a reporting means because of its mobility and emergency communications capabilities.
If you have an interest in weather and think you would like to assist the NWS in helping to serve your community and neighbors, consider becoming a volunteer weather spotter. Contact the NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist for further information.
See the SKYWARNTM Training page for the latest classes across the central California interior!
Public Training on Spotter Report Quality
Basic Spotters Field Guide (pdf format)
Advanced Spotters Field Guide (pdf format)
Contacts for the SkywarnTM Program:
James Brotherton, Warning Coordination Meteorologist
e-mail (james.brotherton@noaa.gov)
Paul E. Jones, KF6SYF, Cooperative Program Manager
e-mail: (paul.jones@noaa.gov)
Questions about the SkywarnTM program homepage?
David Spector, KD7BXX
e-mail: (david.spector@noaa.gov)
---Packet Frequency on 2-Meter at 144.39 MHz/ Call Sign KF6MUG
---Primary Frequency for VOX on the 2-Meter Band at 147.330+ MHz
---Secondary Frequency for VOX on the 2-Meter Band at 147.390+
---Primary Frequency on 70-cm Band at 441.900+ MHz
Telephone inquiries are also accepted at the NWS Office:
(559) 584-3752
Thank you for your continued support and interest in the NWS SKYWARNTM program!
National SkywarnTM Homepage
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Webmaster
US Dept of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Weather Service
San Joaquin Valley Weather Forecast Office
900 Foggy Bottom Road
Hanford, CA 93230-5236
Tel: (559) 584-3752
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