Union County Skywarn
In the North Carolina section, many of
the voluntary emergency services provided by amateur operators fall
under the “ARES umbrella” from an organizational viewpoint. SKYWARN is
one such service that is an integral component of service for the
National Weather Service during times of severe weather. Amateur Radio
operators serve as severe weather spotters to relay vital, live data to
the weather service office in Greenville, SC (GSP) via radio.
Overview
A
SKYWARN activation can occur at any time when a need exists to report
severe weather data to the National Weather Service. An activation will
occur at the discretion of the District SKYWARN Emergency Coordinator, a
SKYWARN Net Control Station, any trained SKYWARN weather spotter who
has witnessed severe weather or at the request of the National Weather
Service.
The
purpose of the SKYWARN net is report live, accurate SEVERE weather data
to the National Weather Service (NWS). SKYWARN spotters are requested
to use their best judgment when gathering this data . DO NOT put
yourself in harm’s way to perform these duties. When trapped in a severe
weather situation, take cover or other precautionary measures
immediately to alleviate yourself from potential danger.
A spotter may
register with the National Weather
Service once they have completed
training and are willing to serve their community in this fashion.
Spotters establish a relationship with NWS by attending the Basic and/or
Advanced Spotter training courses offered in their regional area once
every 3 years. After completion of training, the NWS will record the
spotter’s contact information and may periodically call upon the spotter
to report severe weather data from their area. Without renewing these
courses on the 3 year cycle, their contact information is removed from
the NWS spotter database.
Please
note the purpose of SKYWARN is to TRACK severe weather so NWS can
forecast warnings to the general public, NOT to deal with the aftermath
that may be caused by severe weather. Immediately after severe weather
has affected an area, ARES may be called upon to provide emergency
communications for local government and/or disaster relief agencies.
This instant change of mission is why ARES and SKYWARN are tightly
coupled. After severe weather has occurred, ARES will take over as the
primary Amateur Radio emergency communications network. Since both
organizations use the same resources (operators and equipment) who are
already in place, it makes sense for them to work together proactively
during an emergency. They do this by having operators who are
cross-trained with the different skill sets. This allow the deployed
operators to “switch hats” and continue assisting in an expedient
manner.
The Charlotte Regional Skywarn District Coordinatore is: Chris Gay / N1CRG. The SKYWARN DC works closely with
ARES EC(s) in their district to coordinate and focus efforts of SKYWARN
and ARES. Both the SKYWARN and an ARES EC roles are appointed ARRL
positions who are directed by the Section Emergency Coordinator (or
District Emergency Coordinators, if applicable).
SKYWARN Reporting Procedures
Below
is the basic information that ARES members of Union County will
need to know to participate effectively in a SKYWARN activation.
1.
Monitor NOAA Weather Radio as often as possible during times when
severe weather threatens the Mecklenburg County area or surrounding
areas. WXL70 is the local broadcast station that services our area from
atop Spencer Mountain near Gastonia, NC. (The transmitter operates on
162.475Mhz.). NWS will often alert spotters with special announcements
via this mechanism.
2.
For SKYWARN activation, monitor the 145.230 MHz (-600Khz) tone 118.8 Hz. W4BFB
repeater. NWS in the GSP office actively monitors this repeater and has
capability to communicate to our nets from their office. Many of the
forecasters for our service area are licensed amateurs.
3.
ONLY report the following severe weather data to a SKYWARN net or NWS
representative, unless otherwise instructed to do so. This listing comes
form the spotter training courses and constitutes severe weather data
qualifications per the NWS:
DIME-SIZED HAIL (3/4 inch)
58 MPH WINDS (50 KNOTS) OR ANY KIND OF DAMAGE
RAIN OR FLOODING (at rates of one inch per hour OR 2.5 inches per 3 hours)
TORNADOES, FUNNEL CLOUDS OR ROTATING WALL CLOUDS (look for ROTATION)
NOTE:
Please don’t report criteria that does not meet the above-mentioned
descriptions. By doing so, you are slowing down the flow of valid
information and wasting valuable time for monitoring forecasters. This
is mentioned not to be insensitive, but to remind spotters that severe
weather can be a matter of life and death. Time is of the essence here.
Monitoring forecasters ONLY need severe weather data to forecast the
immediate warnings. Other information distracts them from doing their
job at the office (i.e., monitoring radar, making predictions etc.).
This is a common problem on many SKYWARN nets, so let’s do our part to
help out.
In Closing
Many
of the NWS spotter trainers have made comments that spotters are the
“NWS’s eyes and ears on the ground”. Technology has its limitations when
it comes to forecasting warnings for severe data, and nothing can beat
an “on scene report”. As SKYWARN spotters it is our responsibility to be
capable of providing NWS with useful and accurate data. This allows NWS
to make better forecasts, get realistic warnings out quicker and
ultimately save lives.
The
best way to prepare for SKYWARN participation is to monitor weather
conditions, participate in SKYWARN nets and take spotter training when
it’s offered in your local area. This also allows you to maintain your
“spotter status” in the National Weather Service Spotter database.
TO REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
BY NON RADIO MEANS, CLICK ON THE SIGNIFICANT
WEATHER REPORT FORM BELOW
( Please be advised the link above for reporting is not Real Time Report link )
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