|
| Spotter Training Schedule
|
Location |
Course |
Date |
Time |
Contact |
|---|
|
|
| Ashburn GA |
Basic |
September 30, 2008 |
7:00 PM EDT |
Bob Goree
|
|
| IMPORTANT: Classes may be canceled
with short notice should severe weather, a tropical storm, or hurricane pose a
threat to the forecast area. All potential class attendees should check
the web site on the day of the class or contact the class point of
contact to insure that the class has not been canceled. |
Welcome to our SKYWARNTM page! The most important goal of the National
Weather Service (NWS) is to protect lives and property through timely watches and
warnings, and the SKYWARNTM program is an essential part of achieving this goal.
Since SKYWARNTM began in the 1970s, thousands of volunteers have helped the NWS issue more accurate and timely severe weather warnings by acting as spotters. The role of the spotter is to serve as the eyes and ears of the NWS during severe weather situations.
Most SKYWARNTM volunteers are involved with amateur (HAM) radio, because HAM radio operators are well-equipped to relay
their reports of severe weather. However, the SKYWARNTM program also includes law enforcement agencies, emergency management
personnel, public utilities workers, and even people who are simply interested in the weather.
Although the NWS office at Tallahassee has obtained modernized equipment such as the WSR-88D Doppler radar
to better detect severe weather, SKYWARNTM spotters continue to be
essential to our warning process. Even with all the new technology, an accurate report from a SKYWARNTM spotter
often provides critical information required by the forecasters to issue timely warnings, which can save lives.
Become a Spotter
If you live within our CWFA, we invite you to become part of the SKYWARNTM
program. We offer seminars that train spotters to identify and report severe weather, and to also look for indications that severe weather may be imminent.
HAM Radio
A very important part of our SKYWARNTM network is Amateur (HAM) Radio.
HAM radio operators, or HAMs, are a valuable resource to the NWS because of their ability to communicate during times
of severe weather when other communication media may fail. Many HAMs have radios in their cars, which allows them
to "go mobile" and get to areas where severe weather is occurring.
At least one HAM is also stationed at the NWS office when severe weather is occurring.
It is the duty of this HAM to act as a network controller by relaying information between HAMs in the field and NWS
personnel. HAMs report their positions and eyewitness reports, while NWS personnel give information about
storm locations and motions. This allows the net controller to instruct other HAMs where to go.
Area HAMs recently set up an Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS) at the NWS Tallahassee office. APRS uses
packet radio to relay data that can be displayed on a computer.
If you want to learn more about Amateur Radio, a good place to start is the Amateur Radio Relay League.
Excellent resources for getting started in HAM radio can also be found at local HAM Radio clubs.
Any amateur radio or county government organization that would like to receive SKYWARNTM spotter training should contact
Bob Goree, NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist in Tallahassee.
Please send questions or comments about this page to
Mike Jamski or Kelly Godsey.
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