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WHAT IS SKYWARN?:

 

 

The SKYWARN program is a partnership between the National Weather Service (NWS) and the community. It was formed in the early 1970's after major tornado outbreaks ravaged many areas, with its chief aim being to reduce the threat to our communities from severe storms.

The key element of the program is a network of volunteer non-NWS personnel ("storm spotters") who relay reports of severe weather to the community and NWS. Even with today's new technology at our disposal, only one instrument can detect severe weather phenomena directly with absolute certainty -- the human eye.

 

A large network of spotters can be of great benefit to the NWS warning program. The basis for, and/or verification of, many severe weather warnings, issued by the NWS, may be directly attributed to SKYWARN storm spotters. Their reports are considered highly credible by NWS personnel, and are regarded highly. They assist the NWS in performing our top mission, which is to prepare and distribute warnings and forecasts of impending severe weather. SKYWARN storm spotters help to provide the citizens of their community with potentially left-saving information. We realize that members of this elite group are volunteering their time and effort to provide this invaluable service. Their efforts are greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

           Many NWS storm spotters are also Amateur Radio operators. This dual role can be helpful during a major storm such

           as hurricanes, tornados, and severe storms when phone and power lines are down. Amateur Radio operators, manning  

           strategic sites around the community, may become the primary means of communications.

 

While there are no specific requirements, it is preferred that SKYWARN volunteers are reachable in the event something suspicious is happening in the skies in their area. It must also be stressed that we are looking for reliable and objective reports. When wind speed or hail size is exaggerated, for example, it can do more harm than good.

Storm spotting classes are conducted yearly by the NWS in La Crosse, WI. It is encouraged that those wishing to become storm spotters to attend a class near your community.

 

If you would like to become a Richland County SKYWARN storm spotter, please contact Chris Kanable, KC9CMD, Richland County SKYWARN Coordinator at (608)647-4881 (h), or (608)475-0320 (c). You may also contact Chris at: Chris.Kanable()gmail.com

 

           When going Mobile:

 

            When you go mobile and being on the road, even on a sunny day with no storms, driving a vehicle on a public

            roadway can be dangerous.  When you add STORMS – with heavy rain, gusty winds, hail, blowing dust, etc. – the 

            danger increases dramatically.  To stay safe as a mobile spotter, keep these things in mind:

 

a.      If you can, try to spot with a partner – This allows the driver to focus on the road while the passenger watches 

     the sky.  This also provides an extra set of eyes to keep an eye on rapidly changing situations.

 

                 b.  Watch for water on the road – Hydroplaning is a serious threat for drivers, and it doesn’t take much rain to

                      cause roads to become slick and hazardous.

 

                 c.  Obey traffic laws – Speeding, parking too close to the edge of the road and making sudden turns and stops on 

                      unfamiliar roads all spell trouble.

 

                 d.  Watch out for the “other guy” – Severe storms often draw a crowd of “gawkers”, from casual observers to 

                      organized groups of storm spotters.  Be extra careful when stopping to view a storm, making sure to pull

                      completely off roadways and keeping an eye out for traffic, even in places where you would never expect to see

                      traffic.

 

                  e.  Make sure your vehicle is ready for action – A well-maintained vehicle with a full tank of gas is crucial for a

                      mobile spotter’s safety and success.

 

            Lightning:

 

a.      All thunderstorms produce lightning, and people are killed and injured each year by lightning.  Storm spotters 

      may put themselves as risk from lightning by being in the open, being on a hill or high spot (for better    

      visibility, parking or standing next to metal fences or underneath power lines, standing close to camera tripods

      or using radio equipment attached to an antenna.

 

b.      Remember that lightning typically provides no warning – the first strike that you see may be the last.  Follow

      these basic lightning safety guidelines:

 

1.      Avoid being the tallest object, and stay away from other tall objects (like trees, power pole/lines).

 

2.      Don’t stand close to fences or power poles/lines.  Even though you may not be in an area of frequent    

                           lightning, lightning can travel a considerable distance along these pathways.

 

3.      As mentioned before, you should not wait for some type of warning (hair standing on end, sounds on   

                          AM or other radio equipment, etc.) before taking shelter from lightning – the first strike from a storm    

                          could be the one that gets you.  Treat lightning with respect and stay in a protected area when lightning

                          is in the area.  Stay in your car!

 

4.      CPR training is an excellent idea for all mobile storm spotters.  Remember that a person struck by

                           lightning carries no residual charge and CPR could save a life.

 

                The Storm:

 

a.      If a mobile storm spotter is well trained, experienced and knowledgeable about severe storm structure and

     behavior, they can usually avoid becoming a victim of the storm itself.  However, the environment in and near    

     a severe storm can change dramatically in a short period of time, and these changes can catch you by surprise. 

     These basic tips can help you stay safe:

                                   

                                    1.  Avoid the most intense areas of storms – This seems obvious, but each year spotters, for one reason

                                      or another, make decisions that place them in the core of a dangerous storm.  Storm chasers --- not   

                                      the same as storm spotters --- call this “core punching” and it’s a very dangerous practice for a

                                      number of reasons.  First, you may drive into very large hail, which can damage your vehicle and

                                      injure you.  Second, you could drive right into the path of a tornado with very little time to react.

                                      And finally, the core of the storm is a dangerous place with low visibilities, heavy rain, and violent

                                      winds.

 

                                    2.  Keep your head on a swivel --- When observing a storm, it is easy to lose focus and become fixated

                                      on some feature you’re watching.  You should maintain awareness of what’s going on all around you

                                      and always mindful of a surprise event.  This points out the important of spotting with a partner, who

                                      can be an extra set of eyes and ears to help you stay safe.

 

3.      ALWAYS have an escape route in mind --- Mobile spotters should always plan an emergency escape

route that will take them out of harm’s way should the storm change direction or otherwise threaten

them.  Determining that escape routes require a great deal of knowledge about the storm’s movement

and behavior.  A detailed set of current maps of your spotting area is a critical part of a mobile

spotter’s go-bag, but be mindful of the fact that roads sometimes change before maps do, and they may not reflect reality in every case.

4.      NEVER drive into areas where water covers the road --- This is especially true when you cannot be certain how deep the water is.  Many people die each year by driving into flooded areas and drowning in their vehicles.  Find another safer route.

5.   Keep your engine running --- Especially when operating close to a severe storm  You do not want to find out about a vehicle problem as a violent storm bears down on you.                                                                                                                                                              

6.  Be extra cautious at night --- Obviously, it is more dangerous to deal with something you cannot clearly see.  Storms at night present special problems for spotters and you should be extremely cautious when observing storms after dark.

FINALLY --- If you don’t have much experience in storm spotting, start by teaming up with someone who does!                   

 

                 Skywarn events to report:               

                      You can download events here

Some good weather links:

La Crosse Weather Station

Weather Underground

Milwaukee Weather Maps

This is a good site

Another good site




Something you might see when observing weather radar:

·         In the table below, a guideline on the interpretation of dBZ factors are given. Hope this helps:

dBz

RAIN RATE

COMMENTS

10

~0.2

Significant but mostly non-precipitating clouds.

20

~1

Drizzle, very light rain.

30

~3

Light rain.

40

~10

Moderate rain, showers.

50

~50

Heavy rain, thundershowers, some hail possible.

60

~60

Extremely heavy rain, severe thunderstorms, hail likely




Here is a good link showing videos of WALL CLOUDS:

Link to Weather Radio:

Another link to NOAA Streaming Weather Radio:

The National Weather Service (NWS) in La Crosse, WI:


MIDLAND WEATHER RADIO:


AVAILABLE FROM PVR


Converting KNOTS to MPH Chart:

Convert from one speed to another

Type a value in one box and click here to see the results

 

Kilometers per hour

Miles per hour

Knots

 


Math Conversion Table:

1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour = 6076 feet per hour = 1.15078 mph
1 mph = 1 mile per hour = 5280 feet per hour = 0.86898 knots per hour

 


CONVERTING LOCAL TIME TO UTC TIME - CHART:

LOCAL TIME

UTC STANDARD

UTC DAYLIGHT

 

12:00 AM

0600

0500

 

1:00

0700

0600

 

2:00

0800

0700

 

3:00

0900

0800

 

4:00

1000

0900

 

5:00

1100

1000

 

6:00

1200

1100

 

7:00

1300

1200

 

8:00

1400

1300

 

9:00

1500

1400

 

10:00

1600

1500

 

11:00

1700

1600

 

12:00 PM

1800

1700

 

1:00

1900

1800

 

2:00

2000

1900

 

3:00

2100

2000

 

4:00

2200

2100

 

5:00

2300

2200

 

6:00

2400 (New Date)

2300

 

7:00

0100

2400 (New Date)

 

8:00

0200

0100

 

9:00

0300

0200

 

10:00

0400

0300

 

11:00

0500

0400

 

12:00

0600

0500

 

 

 

 

 


What's in your Go Bag?

  • There are "Go-bags" ... and then there are "Go-bags." What you have in your go-bag is a personal thing, but there are essentials that should be "ready to go" at a moments notice. You may be activated to serve for just a single day --- however, depending on the circumstances --- you may be called to serve for several days. Do you have everything organized so that you can just grab what you need and go?

·         We will not go into a discussion of your radio gear ... you are an Amateur Radio operator, so you know about your HT, the accessories you need for your radio, and the comfort and safety items you will need ... so we will discuss those "other" things you will need in your go-bag.

A.

"ALWAYS TAKE" ITEMS:

  • ID Card(s) for any and all agencies with which you are registered. (American Red Cross, local or state ARES/RACES ID, SAR, etc.) Make sure these cards have the necessary telephone numbers.
  • Keep your cell phone handy so that you can grab it on the run.
  • Copy of your FCC Amateur Radio License. Copies of all FCC licenses (e.g.- "club" calls) you are authorized to use should be carried.
  • Personal prescription and OTC medications. Carry list of all medications you take, plus name/address of doctor(s) and pharmacist.
  • Eyeglasses (+ spare pair), sun glasses. Safety glasses or goggles.
  • Appropriate clothing (for rain, hot weather, snow), headgear, sturdy shoes/boots, kerchief or scarf. (If kerchief is ORANGE or other bright color, it can double as a signal flag.)
  • Water. One gallon per day per person,
  • Small notepad, pen(s), pencils, spiral logbook/clipboard, RADIOGRAM forms. This might include your own SKYWARN book with scripts, frequency charts or repeater lists that you may need.
  • Flashlight(s) (a "Snake Light or "Mag-lite" plus a pocket pen-lite is good).
  • A good pocket knife. A folding multi-purpose tool.
  • A whistle in the event you become "lost." Perhaps a signal mirror would be a good thing.
  • Watch or small clock. (With an alarm is ideal).
  • Respiratory (dust) masks.
  • First-aid kit. Perhaps this should include a snake bite kit. (If you include a snake bite kit, you will probably never see a snake. On the other hand ...)
  • You may need matches, tissues, moist towelettes, sun block, insect repellent, plus personal hygiene items which you may need.
  • Emergency gas/phone money (the amount is up to you ... I carry mine in an empty pill bottle.)
  • You may have to hike deep into the woods, so a small compass might be a good thing.
  • Maps --- especially local maps.
  • For some emergency activations you may be required to wear a hardhat. I have one with safety goggles included.
  • Last, but not least, a copy of pages from your radio operating manual in the event you need to program frequencies other than the ones stored in your radio.

B.

WHERE DO YOU STORE ALL