Amateur and GMRS Radio is crucial for storm spotting. Providing a reliable communication method that functions even when cell towers and the internet are down enables trained spotters to send vital, real-time ground-truth reports on severe weather to the National Weather Service. This information is critical for supplementing radar data, allowing the NWS to issue more accurate and timely warnings about hazards like hail size, wind speed, and tornado rotation.
Trained spotters observe severe weather patterns, could formations, and damage reporting them immediately to the NWS to validate radar data and aid in warning decisions. Locally, reports are provided during Skywarn activation events managed by trained Net Control Operators through Winnebago County Skywarn.
To learn more about Skywarn and/or becoming a trained weather spotter, you can visit one of the links below:
SKYWARN — NWS Severe Weather Spotters — The National Weather Service’s trained volunteer spotter program. Ham radio operators play a key role by reporting severe weather directly to NWS offices via amateur radio nets. Free 2-hour training classes are offered each spring — no license required to participate, but licensed operators can report via radio.
For more information on becoming a weather spotter and Winnebago County Skywarn.
Visit Winnebago County Skywarn
Winnebago County Skywarn is a program of the Rockford Amateur Radio Association