[wxqc] OT: High Risk of Severe Thunderstorms Today (SkyWarn)

[dick at kb7zva.com]

>Please monitor NOAA Weather Radio broacasts for Warnings issued
>for your community.  If you encounter severe weather, and can safely
>do so, please report hail, funnel clouds, tornado, and wind damage 
>to your local NOAA/NWS Weather Forecast Office (WFO).  WFOs are
>providing Skywarn training right now; sign-up through their web page
>for the next "spotter" course in your community.

Dave brings up an interesting subject about SkyWarn. I have sponsored
meeting locations in my area for SkyWarn training over the years and
I have been an active 'spotter' for many years.

Most NWS regional offices have Weather Spotter Hotlines. The number
is restricted to 'trained observers' relaying weather information to the NWS.
Observations by spotters follow a strict criteria established by the NWS.
During WX events they get hammered with a lot of calls that don't usually
even get recorded or logged. Criteria training for reporting is a must.

Example, they need to know hail size greater than pea-size. whether
funnel clouds or tornado's have touched the ground. And in our area
life-threatening events, and visibility less than a quarter mile during
blowing dust and sand. The desert can produce some very interesting
WX events that effect motorists, wash flooding, lightning, etc.

We have a very large group of 'Storm Chasers' that belong to our area
SkyWarn Chapter. Being ham radio operators, our mobile units can get
very complex with communications and computers that display real-time
radar images. Mobile units generally send out real-time position reports
for tracking purposes. Our NWS office has this tracking ability which gives
them exact locations as we 'storm chase'. The region office has licensed
amateur radio operators as part of their NWS staff. They really need to
know what we see with our eyes as spotters, in terms they can relate to.

So, if you have the time... look into joining your local group of SkyWarn
spotters. It's well worth the adventure and you will be a very valuable
asset to your community.

Dick, KB7ZVA
APRSWest