Mar 2, 2006 6:14 pm US/Central
Severe Weather Week: Storm Spotters
Your local National Weather Service forecast office uses a variety of tools and methods to help them predict and track severe storms. But even with all the technology, they still rely on human eyes and ears to help them know what's really happening.
Storm spotters come from all walks of life. The primary goal of storm spotters is to make observations and reports to help the warning system in their community or county. In many areas, storm spotters are volunteers, interested in helping protect their community from deadly storms. In other places, the spotter group is made up of public safety officials from the fire and police services, department of public safety, and other city and county officials.
Amateur radio operators have historically played a major role in the National Weather Service's storm spotter program. Sometimes known as hams, these public service-minded men and women volunteer their time, expertise and equipment to help their local community when storms threaten. One of the factors that make the relationship between storm spotting and amateur radio a natural fit is the communications capabilities they possess. Amateur radio storm spotters are able to communicate directly with a control station who collects reports and disseminates weather updates. Across most of north Texas, hams can talk directly to other hams at the National Weather Service office in Fort Worth.
Storm spotters get the information they need to help them safely observe and report severe storms by attending annual storm spotter training sessions. Spotter training classes are usually conducted as a joint effort between local emergency organizations and the local National Weather Service office.
For more information about storm spotting and how you might get involved, contact the National Weather Service in Fort Worth.
Your local National Weather Service office is interested in your severe weather reports. Let them know anytime you see tornadoes, flash flooding, large hail, or any damage as a result of severe storms.
The Fort Worth office covers North Texas. Their Web site can be found
here. If you see severe weather, the NWS office wants to hear from you. You can call them at 800-792-2257.
Remember, any time you see severe weather, your National Weather Service office wants to hear from you!
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