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NOTE: The NWS Norman Forecast Office would like to thank the emergency managers and others who organized spotter training sessions for 2009. NWS
meteorologists conducted more than 40 training sessions at the invitation of local emergency managers. Spotters serve as the last line of defense
against the dangerous storms we encounter so frequently here. Thanks to these efforts, over 2300 people were trained as storm spotters. The NWS and
the communities served and protected by storm spotters greatly appreciate their hard work and dedication.
Spotter training has ended for 2009, but will begin again in January 2010.
Storm spotters play a critical role in National Weather Service severe weather operations. In addition to serving as a community’s first line of defense against dangerous storms, spotters provide important information to warning forecasters who must make critical warning decisions.
The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Norman uses amateur radio as one method of communicating with spotter groups and emergency management organizations.
The National Weather Service, in cooperation with local emergency management and amateur radio groups, has developed a network of frequencies to assist in the dissemination and collection of severe weather information. The purpose of the network is to:
- Pass the latest weather information – including radar data, warnings and statements - to spotter groups; and
- Collect real-time reports of severe weather from spotter groups and emergency management agencies across the area.
The NWS Norman SKYWARN Radio Network should be thought of as a "liaison net" during severe weather. It is not intended to collect individual spotter reports, but rather to serve as a collection point where local spotter networks can relay information to the NWS. In other words, the individual storm spotter should use their local frequencies and procedures to report severe weather to their local organization. When the local spotter net receives a report of severe weather, a liaison from that group relays the report to the National Weather Service via the liaison net. Amateur radio operators at the NWS Office will also provide radar information and the latest warnings and statements to the liaisons, who in turn pass the information on to their local spotter network.
Spotters and anyone else interested in keeping track of severe storms are encouraged to monitor these frequencies, but traffic should be limited on the liaison net. You should attempt to report severe weather to your local spotter groups instead of on these frequencies.
Are you interested in becoming a weather spotter? Here is some information about how to get started in tornado and thunderstorm spotting.
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www.weather.gov 
