SKYWARN - STORM SPOTTING
What is SKYWARN?
SKYWARN consists of volunteer storm spotters that provide timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service for their local community.
For the Rural Iowa Amateur Radio Club, SKYWARN consists of NWS Storm Spotter Training and running a net to report weather conditions and/or damage to the NWS in La Crosse, WI and to Fayette County Emergency Management.
There are many places on the internet where you learn about SKYWARN and view weather information, get forcasts, and watch the radar. Some are free, some cost money. Below are the sites and information we find valuable for our area.
RESOURCES
Introduction
- RIARC SKYWARN SOP - Provides details on how we run our SKYWARN program and net.
- NWS La Crosse Spotter Page - Learn about the SKYWARN program for the local NWS office and how it's administered. You can also find the calendar of upcoming spring spotter training sessions.
- Spotter Network - Excellent resource for storm/weather training and provides for multiple methods of location tracking.
Prior to the storm
- Current Day Outlook for storm chances - You can look at the forcasted risks for the current day. Outlooks for further out -- Day 2 Outlook Day 3 Outlook Days 4-8 Outlooks
- NWS La Crosse Severe Weather Monitor - Allows you to have a user customizable screen with outlooks, watches, warnings, radar, etc.
- GRLevel3 Radar Application - Many of our members use a computer program called GRLevel3. The cost is a $79.99 one time fee. We like GRLevel3 because it allows us to see Spotter Network spotter locations on the radar map.
During Storm Spotting for an approaching storm
- First, there is no requirement to be mobile for storm spotting. We will take reports from wherever you are. (Home, Work, Friend's House, Neighborhood Establishment, etc). If you choose to go mobile, it is up to you to remain safe and in an area where you will have communications back to Net Control.
- Since Smartphones and Mobile Internet are prevalent, we will list some common apps to we are familiar with and use while spotting.
- RadarScope ($9.99) - has split screen capability along with Spotter Network integration.
- Spotter Network - After you pass the quiz on the training course, you can start providing your location to Spotter Network for display elsewhere.
Spotter Network has a Windows Application that can upload your location, or you can use an app on your smartphone. - RadarScope ($9.99) - Integrates with Spotter Network and displays locations on radar map.
- Location App for SpotterNetwork (Chaser Location) ($1.99) - Just provides your location to Spotter Network.
- APRS - Setup your APRS Callsign-SSID with Spotter Network and then your position will be uploaded to Spotter Network when your beacon reaches an I-Gate.