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Metro Skywarn Backgrounder
MINNEAPOLIS, MN --
Skywarn has existed in various forms in the Twin Cities Metro Area for approximately 30 years. This total volunteer organization provides the National Weather Service (NWS) with eyewitness reports of severe weather. Trained observers, using a reliable and quick method of communication (amateur radio, for example), relay information to the NWS.
The NWS has expensive radar equipment designed to monitor weather patterns. Even the next generation of state-of-the-art equipment (NEXRAD) is not sensitive enough to determine the existence of an actual tornado or other kind of severe weather. It can only see where severe weather is likely to occur. The NWS relies on reports from the public, law enforcement personnel and trained Skywarn observers to verify actual severe weather.
The NWS is most interested in receiving severe weather reports from trained sources. The kinds of reports sought by the NWS can include hail, wind, damage, flash flooding, wall clouds (the area of a thunderstorm where tornadoes can form), funnel clouds and tornadoes. Establishing the existence of a rotating wall cloud or funnel cloud can provide the NWS with verification of dangerous conditions in the storm that are indicated, but not seen by radar. Reports on the size of hail stones provides the NWS with a relative indicator of the intensity of the thunderstorm.
Because conditions in and near a thunderstorm are chaotic and confusing, many cloud formations are erroneously reported as indicators of severe weather. Trained spotters are needed to confirm these reports. This helps to reduce the number of unnecessary warnings issued by the NWS.
An effective weather warning system combined with public education has probably been the largest factor in reducing loss of life due to severe weather. The Skywarn spotters and the training programs figure prominently in both the warning system and education efforts about severe weather and its effects.
Trained Skywarn observers provide the NWS with accurate and timely reports using controlled networks on Amateur Radio, public safety, citizen's band radio, and other forms of communication. If the NWS confirms severe weather with Skywarn spotter reports, it is confident about the accuracy of the report. Then NWS meteorologists quickly notify local authorities, which activate civil defense sirens. The news media also receive notification so they can make reports on local broadcast stations.
Metro Skywarn today is a consortium of Amateur Radio and emergency management organizations and other individuals. Skywarn's mission is to provide trained Amateur Radio operators capable of making accurate reports of severe weather to the NWS. Metro Skywarn serves the entire 11 county metro area. Organizations involved include the Bloomington Police Department, Ramsey County Emergency Services, the National Weather Service, Bloomington Communications Twin City FM Club, Carver County Radio Club, and Anoka County Radio Club and Emergency Services.
Volunteers are certified by the Minnesota Division of Emergency Management to train the nearly 800 licensed Amateur Radio operators every two years. Metro Skywarn also trains metro law enforcement and other emergency personnel with post accreditation in severe weather spotting.
For more information, contact:
Lara Rodriguez, WXØGRL
Public Relations Director
Metro Skywarn
612-589-9404 pager
wx0grl@arrl.net