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Community Corner

Skywarn Basic Storm Spotter Class

SKYWARN® is a national network of volunteer severe weather spotters. The spotters are trained by local National Weather Service Forecast Offices on how to spot severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail and flooding. In some parts of the country, spotters also report snowfall and ice accumulation.

Skywarn volunteers are people who either have a strong interest in weather or are public service oriented such as amateur radio operators, ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service), RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) & REACT (Radio Emergency Associated Communication Teams), CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) members, or emergency response personnel. Spotters are all ages beginning as young as 14 and range well into retirement age. Skywarn volunteers are a diverse group but with a common interest in weather and a strong desire to help their community.

This Skywarn, storm spotting, basic course is a prerequisite for other Skywarn courses. Basics I is a good general overview of severe weather for the general public. Upon completion of the course, you will be registered in the program by the NWS. You will receive a spotter code from the NWS within 6 weeks. Training in Basics I includes:

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  • The basic organization of the National Weather Service
  • The role and importance of the Skywarn spotter
  • NWS Products and the Watch/Warning/Advisory system
  • Thunderstorms
  • Thunderstorm threats:
    • Lightning
    • Flooding
    • Hail
    • Tornadoes
    • Downbursts
  • How to report vital info to the NWS
  • The role of amateur short-wave (HAM) radio in the Spotter Program (you do not need to be an amateur radio operator to participate in the Skywarn program).

 Additional Information

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REGISTER

For additional information contact Paul Bowling, Paul (at) W4ATN.com or 410-353-9196

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