How does SKYWARN Amateur Radio work?
Two-thirds of the volunteers are licensed amateur radio operators. Amateur radio plays a big role in the SKYWARN program. During severe weather, amateur radio volunteers man a amateur radio station at the National Weather Service Office. They talk to the spotters in the particular area that the storm is occuring and request information needed by the forecasters. Large storms knock out phone service. SKYWARN amateur radio volunteers are there to relay severe weather reports to the national weather offices to keep communities informed of severe weather. The National Weather Service issues watches and warnings warnings, based in part on observations from storm spotters in the field. Your reports are important to warning forecasters who are making critical warning decisions. How do I become a weather spotter? You must take a SKYWARN class. This class is a free 3-hour seminar that teaches you the basics of how SKYWARN operates, how to spot severe weather, what to report, how to report and w
