Storm spotting and SKYWARN
How radio operators help during severe weather, and how to get trained.
- What it is
- SKYWARN is a National Weather Service program that trains volunteers to report severe weather like tornadoes, hail and flooding.
- Why radio helps
- When phones and power are down, a handheld radio can still pass a report to a net or a neighbor.
- How to join
- The NWS offers free spotter classes. Ask your local weather office for dates, or check their SKYWARN page.
- What to report
- Tornadoes or funnel clouds, damaging wind, large hail, flooding and heavy snow. Give what you see and where, not guesses.
- Stay safe
- Spotters never put themselves in danger. Take cover first, report second.
- On the club
- Weather alerts for Summit County show on the site, and you can ask for storm checks on the weekly nets.